Agricultural Vehicle Crawler Track for Soil Compaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural vehicles face challenges in minimizing soil compaction in fields while adhering to legal weight regulations on public roads, as the additional weight of attached implements often exceeds permissible limits, and existing solutions either do not effectively reduce compaction or require complex mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural vehicle equipped with a caterpillar drive support arrangement between the front and rear axles, featuring a displaceable crawler track that can be engaged or disengaged using a hydraulic lifting device, allowing for increased ground contact area without widening the vehicle, and a drivable crawler belt with adjustable tension, enabling reduced soil compaction and compliance with weight regulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the vehicle width is increased to provide additional support on public roads, then the load distribution improves, but the vehicle width exceeds standard lane markings
Solution Approach 1:
The support arrangement is deployed vertically downward from the vehicle frame rather than extending laterally, transitioning the problem from a horizontal dimension (vehicle width) to a vertical dimension (ground contact). This allows load distribution improvement without increasing vehicle width beyond lane markings.
Solution Approach 2:
The support arrangement is designed to be dynamically deployable and retractable via hydraulic lifting devices. It can be extended downward to contact the ground when needed for load distribution, and retracted upward when not needed, allowing the vehicle to adapt its support configuration without permanent structural modifications.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a support arrangement is permanently fixed to the vehicle frame, then load distribution improves, but the device complexity and wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support arrangement is designed as a dynamic, movable structure rather than a fixed one. It can be raised and lowered on demand using hydraulic lifting devices, allowing load distribution to be activated only when needed. This reduces unnecessary wear and simplifies the overall system compared to a permanently engaged support structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The support arrangement serves multiple functions: it provides load distribution when deployed, can be retracted when not needed, and its components (such as the crawler track) can potentially serve both support and propulsion functions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the crawler track is always in contact with the ground, then soil compaction is reduced, but unnecessary loading and wear occur during road travel
Solution Approach 1:
The crawler track contact with the ground is made periodic rather than continuous. The lifting device raises the crawler track off the ground during road travel phases and lowers it during field operation phases. This periodic engagement reduces unnecessary wear during road travel while ensuring soil compaction reduction is achieved during field operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The support arrangement transitions from a static, always-contact configuration to a dynamic, controllable contact configuration. The crawler track can be raised and lowered on demand, allowing the system to adapt its ground contact status based on operational requirements, thereby reducing wear during phases when ground contact is not needed.
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
The solution effectively reduces soil compaction in fields and ensures legal weight compliance on roads by dynamically adjusting the ground contact area and load distribution, enhancing driving stability and safety through automatic control of the crawler drive.
Implementation Method 1
the crawler track is arranged displaceably on the vehicle frame via a lifting device (28), in particular via at least one hydraulic cylinder (30)
Implementation Method 2
The contact area of the vehicle, both in the field and on the road, can be increased by the arrangement of a, for example, free-running, caterpillar drive between the axles of the agricultural vehicle when the caterpillar drive comes into contact with the ground
Implementation Method 3
The caterpillar drive can have a resilient and damping effect via the at least one hydraulic cylinder
Implementation Method 4
at least one, in particular rigid and/or length-adjustable, pull rod is provided, by means of which the crawler track unit is connected to the vehicle frame at the rear. The crawler track can be guided by the pull rod when it is relocated. In addition, tensile forces of the caterpillar drive can be transferred directly to the vehicle frame
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
An agricultural vehicle (10), in particular a tractor, comprising a vehicle frame (12) on which a front axle (14) and a rear axle (16) with ground engagement means (18) driven by a drive motor (20) for supporting the vehicle (10) against the ground are arranged, as well as a support arrangement located between the front axle (14) and the rear axle (16). According to the invention, the support arrangement is designed in the form of at least one crawler track (26).