Adjustable Wheel Assembly Rail System for Planters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional multi-wing planters have fixed support wheels that limit the range of row unit spacings, making it difficult for operators to adjust the lateral positioning according to different crops and environmental conditions.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes a toolbar with a laterally extending slide rail and a wheel assembly configured to be removably coupled, allowing the wheel assembly to be slid along the toolbar for adjustable positioning, with an anti-rotation feature to prevent rotation and maintain desired orientation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the support wheel frame is welded to the toolbar, then the wheel position is fixed and structurally simple, but the range of row unit spacings is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverange of row unit spacingsVSAvoidwheel assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel assembly is divided into separable components: the wheel assembly itself and the toolbar with rail, allowing the wheel to be detached and repositioned at different locations along the rail to achieve various row unit spacings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wheel assembly transitions from a fixed position (welded) to a movable position (slidable along rail), enabling dynamic adjustment of wheel location to accommodate different planting configurations while maintaining structural simplicity through the rail-guided movement mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the wheel assembly can be moved along the toolbar, then row unit spacing is adjustable, but the wheel may rotate relative to the toolbar

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability of wheel positionVSAvoidorientation of wheel assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The rail acts as an intermediary component between the wheel assembly and toolbar, providing both movement guidance and rotational constraint. The engagement structure on the rail prevents rotation while allowing lateral movement, serving as a mediator that enables position adjustment without compromising orientation stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The rail creates a constrained movement path that maintains constant orientation (equipotential orientation) while allowing position variation, ensuring the wheel assembly remains at the same angular position relative to the toolbar throughout its movement along the rail

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

Data Source

PatentUS11716918B2System for adjusting the lateral positioning of a wheel assembly of an agricultural implement

Publication Date: 2023.08.08 BLUE LEAF I P INC

AI summary

A system for adjusting the lateral positioning of wheel assemblies of agricultural implements includes a toolbar extending in a lateral direction and having a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. The system also includes a rail coupled to the toolbar and extending in the lateral direction along a length of the toolbar. Additionally, the system includes a wheel assembly configured to be removably coupled to the toolbar such that the rail is positioned between the toolbar and a portion of the wheel assembly. The wheel assembly includes engagement structure configured to engage the rail when the wheel assembly is installed relative to the toolbar, with the engagement between the rail and the engagement structure being configured to prevent rotation of the wheel assembly about the toolbar.