Agricultural Implement Steering via Coulters and Wheels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural implements lack effective steering capabilities both during field use and when making end row turns or transporting, as coulter-based systems only function when in use, and wheel-based systems have reduced steering capacity due to weight transfer to row units.
Innovation Solution
A steering system incorporating rocker arm-mounted wheel assemblies and coulters that engage the ground only in the working position, with a common actuator turning both wheel assemblies and coulters to provide additional steering force when row units are engaged, ensuring precise implement alignment and navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If weight is transferred from the frame to the row units to provide supplemental downforce during field use, then the downforce on row units is improved, but the steering capacity of the wheel assemblies is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines both wheel assemblies and coulters into a unified steering system. The coulters are pivotally mounted to the same rocker arm as the wheel assembly, allowing them to be turned together by a common actuator. This merging provides additional steering force through the coulters to compensate for the reduced wheel steering capacity caused by weight transfer to row units.
Solution Approach 2:
The rocker arm serves as an intermediary mechanism that couples the wheel assembly and coulter together. It allows both components to be pivotally mounted and turned simultaneously by a single actuator, enabling coordinated steering action that compensates for reduced wheel steering capacity while maintaining the weight transfer system.
2Measurement precision
If coulters are used for steering the implement during field use, then steering precision is improved, but steering capability is lost when making end row turns or transporting the implement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the steering system universal by enabling both wheel assemblies and coulters to provide steering capability in all operating conditions. The common actuator system allows the coulters to assist with precision steering during field use while also providing full steering capability during end row turns and transport, making the system adaptable to all situations.
3Force
If a common actuator turns both wheel assemblies and coulters, then steering force is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the steering control of wheel assemblies and coulters into a single common actuator system. Both components are pivotally mounted to the same rocker arm and are turned together by one actuator, reducing the number of separate steering mechanisms needed while maintaining adequate steering force through the combined action of wheels and coulters.
Data Source
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AI summary
An implement (10) is disclosed. The implement (10) is adapted to be towed by a vehicle comprising: a frame (12); a plurality of ground engaging tools carried by the frame (12); a plurality of wheel assemblies (46) supporting the frame (12) above the ground and moveable relative the frame (12) to raise and lower the frame (12) between working and non-working positions in which in the working position the tools engage the ground and in the non-working position the tools do not engage the ground; a plurality of coulters (116) carried by the frame (12) and engaged with the ground when the frame (12) is in the working position and not engaged with the ground when the frame (12) is in the non-working position. To improve steering behavior of the implement (10) a steering system is adapted to turn the wheel assemblies (46) and the coulters (116) to steer the implement (10), the steering system having an actuator (154) coupled to both wheel assemblies (46) and coulters (116) to turn both wheel assemblies (46) and coulters (116).