Agricultural Wheel with Dynamic Closing Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural machine wheels with perforated webs are prone to blockage by stones and plant residues, leading to non-optimal seed placement and increased downtime due to the need for frequent wheel adaptations.

Innovation Solution

A wheel with a closing device that can block at least one of the openings in the web, featuring an internal face with projections that correspond to the shape of the openings, allowing for quick adaptation and reduced debris accumulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If a perforated web is used to evacuate soil and prevent accumulation, then soil evacuation is improved, but the wheel becomes prone to blockage by stones and plant residues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoil accumulationVSAvoidblockage by stones and residues
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the veil configuration changeable. The veil can be transformed between a perforated state (with openings for soil evacuation) and a closed state (without openings to prevent blockage). This is achieved through a transformation device that allows the veil to be rolled up or unfolded, enabling the wheel to adapt dynamically to different working conditions and avoid the static contradiction between soil evacuation and blockage prevention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the veil configuration is changed to adapt to different ground conditions, then adaptability is improved, but the time required for replacement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptation to ground conditionsVSAvoidtime for veil replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The transformation device enables dynamic reconfiguration of the veil without requiring complete dismantling or replacement. The veil can be quickly rolled up or unfolded using the transformation mechanism, reducing the time intervention from full veil replacement to simple configuration change, thus maintaining high adaptability while minimizing time loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The veil is designed as a segmented or foldable structure that can be independently transformed without affecting the entire wheel assembly. This segmentation allows partial or complete veils to be reconfigured individually, reducing the complexity and time of adaptation operations compared to replacing entire veil assemblies

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3034322B1Improved wheel for agricultural machines
Publication Date: 2019.05.15 KUHN SA
  • EP3034322B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3034322B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3034322B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a wheel (10) for an agricultural machine comprising a hub (12), a disc (13) supporting a rim (14) and a tire (15) mounted on the rim (14), the disc (13) having spokes (16) connecting the rim (14) to the hub (12) and openings (17) located between two adjacent spokes (16). The wheel (10) is notable in that it includes a device (18) for closing at least one of the openings (17). The invention also relates to an agricultural machine comprising at least one wheel (10).