Agricultural Drive Wheel Segmented Disk Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing crawler track drive wheels for agricultural machines are costly to manufacture, particularly due to high initial tool costs and inefficiencies in shape modification, and often result in inhomogeneous force distribution and suboptimal power flow.

Innovation Solution

A drive wheel design utilizing two one-piece wheel disk elements connected in a stationary manner, produced through forming processes like roll pressing or deep drawing, which allows for cost-effective production and adaptation, optimized power flow, and increased rigidity and strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the drive wheel is manufactured as a one-piece casting, then the structural integrity is improved, but the manufacturing cost and tooling expenses increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The drive wheel is divided into multiple individual parts that are connected together, replacing the one-piece casting approach. This segmentation allows each part to be manufactured separately using cost-effective processes while maintaining overall structural integrity through the connection of components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple individual parts are merged into a complete drive wheel assembly. The connection of these parts creates a unified structure that achieves the required structural integrity without the high costs associated with one-piece casting tooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the drive wheel is made up of a large number of individual parts, then the adaptability to different designs is improved, but the production time and assembly costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign adaptabilityVSAvoidproduction time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The drive wheel is segmented into a manageable number of individual parts that can be manufactured independently. This segmentation enables design adaptability while controlling production time by allowing parallel manufacturing of components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Individual parts are prepared in advance through separate manufacturing processes, allowing for pre-manufacturing and inventory management. This preliminary action reduces assembly time and enables flexible design changes without requiring complete retooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If individual parts are welded or screwed together, then the adaptability to different configurations is improved, but the weight and force distribution uniformity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration adaptabilityVSAvoiddrive wheel weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The drive wheel is segmented into individual parts that can be connected through welding or screwing. This segmentation provides configuration adaptability while the connection methods are optimized to minimize weight and ensure uniform force distribution across the assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 enables a cost-effective, simple, and efficient manufacturing process with improved force distribution and power flow, reducing production time and costs while enhancing the structural integrity of the drive wheel.

Implementation Method 1

The one-piece wheel disk elements 9, 10 can be produced in a simple manner, with little expenditure of time and cost-effectively using a forming process, in particular by means of roll pressing, compression molding or deep drawing.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRoll pressing:

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression molding:

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeep drawing:

Data Source

PatentEP3871957B1Caterpillar track

Publication Date: 2023.09.06 CLAAS SELBSTFAHRENDE ERNTEMASCHINEN GMBH

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AI summary

The invention relates to a tracked undercarriage (2) of an agricultural machine with an endless track (3) and a drive wheel (1) for driving the track (3), wherein the drive wheel (1) comprises: - a wheel disc (4), - a surface (5) radially outside the wheel disc (4) with a plurality of circumferentially spaced struts (6) for mechanical engagement with the endless track (3), wherein the wheel disc (4) comprises at least a first wheel bowl element (9) and a second wheel bowl element (10), wherein the first and second wheel bowl elements (9, 10) each consist of a first flange (12) extending radially from an axis of rotation (11) of the drive wheel (1) and a base body (14, 15) adjoining it radially outside and widening conically in the axial direction (16), wherein the first flange (12) and the base body (14, 15) are formed in one piece are.