Adjustable Wheel Axle for Combine Harvester Road Compliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Combine harvesters with large, wide tires required for minimal ground pressure exceed the legal maximum vehicle width for public roads in Switzerland and some European countries, necessitating complex suspension systems or disapproval for road use.
Innovation Solution
A wheel axle with adjustable sliding modules and controllable wheel suspensions, featuring hydraulic or pneumatic piston-cylinder units or electromechanical spindle lifting drives, allows for independent vertical adjustment and opposite movement to maintain a horizontal wheel alignment, ensuring compliance with legal width regulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If wide tires are fitted to reduce ground pressure, then ground pressure is reduced, but vehicle width exceeds legal maximum for public roads
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel axle employs dynamically adjustable wheel suspensions that can change their vertical position independently. This allows the combine harvester to maintain a reduced track width for legal road compliance while still accommodating wide tires for agricultural operations, resolving the contradiction between ground pressure reduction and legal width limits through dynamic adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the vertical position parameter of the wheel suspensions to adjust the effective track width. By controlling the vertical position of each wheel suspension independently, the vehicle can legally reduce its width for road travel while maintaining the capability for wide-tire agricultural operations, thus resolving the width-pressure contradiction through parameter variation
2Length of moving object
If complex wheel suspension is fitted to reduce vehicle width, then vehicle width is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel axle system is segmented into independent wheel suspensions that can be controlled separately. Each wheel suspension operates independently with its own actuator, allowing the system to achieve complex width adjustment functionality through simple, modular components rather than a single complex mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The independent wheel suspension system serves multiple functions: it enables legal width reduction for road travel, maintains agricultural operational capability with wide tires, and provides adaptability for different terrain conditions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity
3Stability of the object's composition
If independent wheel suspension control is implemented, then horizontal wheel alignment is maintained on slopes, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that detect the vertical position of each wheel suspension and feed this information back to the control unit. The control unit processes this feedback and adjusts the actuators accordingly to maintain proper wheel alignment and horizontal axle orientation, achieving stable wheel alignment through automated feedback control rather than complex mechanical linkages
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment mechanisms with an electronically controlled system using sensors, control units, and actuators. This substitution of mechanical systems with electronic control reduces mechanical complexity while achieving precise wheel alignment stability on varying terrain
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables combine harvesters to operate within legal width limits while maintaining horizontal wheel alignment across varying topography, allowing for both new and existing models to be equipped with the solution for improved roadworthiness.
Implementation Method 1
The two sliding modules can be hydraulically or pneumatically actuated piston-cylinder units
Implementation Method 2
The two sliding modules can be hydraulically or pneumatically actuated piston-cylinder units
Implementation Method 3
electromechanical spindle lifting drives, the spindles of which move in opposite directions to one another during normal operation of the combine harvester
Data Source
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AI summary
The axle has wheel suspensions (3), which are fastened at an axial case (2). Two sliding modules e.g. piston cylinder units, are arranged in the case for adjusting the wheel suspensions. Each of the suspensions comprises of an upper guide (4), a lower guide (5) and a gearbox carrier (6). The ends of the respective upper guide and lower guide are rotatably supported at the case and the carrier. An independent claim is also included for a combine harvester comprising an axle.