Auxiliary Support Wheels for Implement Frame Weight Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Towed agricultural implements face challenges in minimizing wheel forces on varying terrain, leading to soil compaction and productivity issues due to limited space for frame wheels and the need for increased weight to penetrate hard soils, while soft soils cause frame wheels to sink, affecting working depth and draft forces.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of auxiliary support wheels that are movably attached to the implement frame and biased against the soil, allowing the frame weight to be transferred from frame wheels to support wheels, thereby reducing the weight on each wheel and maintaining the desired orientation of the ground engaging tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the implement frame weight is increased to penetrate hard soils, then the ground engaging tools can penetrate hard soils effectively, but the frame wheels exert excessive force on soft soil surfaces causing them to sink and soil compaction
Solution Approach 1:
The implement weight support function is segmented between frame wheels and auxiliary support wheels. The auxiliary support wheels are positioned at locations that do not interfere with ground engaging tools, allowing the frame wheels to exert less force on the soil surface while maintaining sufficient downward force on the tools through the frame structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary support wheels act as intermediaries that bear portion of the implement weight, thereby reducing the load on frame wheels and their direct impact on soil surface. This mediator approach allows the frame to maintain orientation and tool penetration force while protecting the soil from excessive compaction.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the distance between front and rear frame wheels is minimized to maintain frame orientation on varying terrain, then the frame orientation is maintained better, but the space required for front wheels that pivot about vertical axis is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The support problem is solved by adding auxiliary support wheels at lateral positions beyond the front and rear frame wheels. This dimensional expansion allows the front frame wheels to be positioned closer together for better orientation control while the laterally positioned auxiliary wheels provide additional support without interfering with the pivot space needed for turning.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the number of frame wheels is increased to reduce wheel forces on soft ground, then the weight distribution improves, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than uniformly increasing the number of frame wheels across the implement, auxiliary support wheels are strategically positioned only at locations where they provide maximum benefit - specifically at lateral positions beyond the front and rear frame wheels - without interfering with ground engaging tools or implement operation. This localized approach minimizes complexity while achieving the weight distribution goal.
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
This solution reduces wheel forces on the field surface, minimizing soil compaction and the tendency of frame wheels to sink in soft soils, while allowing for more flexible placement of support wheels without affecting the orientation of the implement frame, thus enhancing operational efficiency and productivity.
Implementation Method 1
A support bias element is operative to exert a support bias force on the support arm to push the support wheel against the field surface
Implementation Method 2
a support wheel rotatably mounted on the support arm about a rotational axis oriented perpendicular to the operating travel direction
Data Source
AI summary
A system for reducing implement wheel forces on a field surface has an agricultural implement with a frame mounted on frame wheels and ground engaging tools mounted on the frame. When the ground engaging tools move down to penetrate the field surface they exert an upward tool force on the frame. Support arms are movably connected to the implement frame and a support wheel is rotatably mounted to each support arm. A support bias element exerts a support bias force on each support arm to force the support wheel against the field surface and to correspondingly force the implement frame upward, transferring a supported frame weight from the implement frame to the support wheels, such that an unsupported frame weight is carried on the frame wheels. A bias control varies the support bias forces to maintain the unsupported frame weight at a level greater than the upward tool force.