Auxiliary Wheel Apparatus for Mini-Tiller Transport and Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mini-tillers, designed for smaller gardening applications, lack wheels, compromising their portability when tines are disengaged, as their compact and lightweight design precludes easy transportation and storage.
Innovation Solution
A multi-positionable auxiliary wheel apparatus that can be attached to a mini-tiller for both transport and storage, featuring a mounting frame with adjustable drag bar and locking mechanism, allowing wheels to support the machine during transport and provide stability during storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a mini-tiller is designed without wheels to maintain compact and lightweight structure, then the machine weight is reduced and maneuverability during tilling is improved, but portability and ease of transport are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly is designed as a separate, detachable module that can be independently attached to or removed from the mini-tiller frame. This segmentation allows the wheel to be added only when needed for transport, while maintaining the lightweight, wheel-free design during tilling operations. The modular approach resolves the contradiction by enabling the machine to have minimal weight during operation but enhanced transport capability when the wheel module is attached.
2Ease of operation
If a wheel apparatus is added to facilitate transport, then ease of transport is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly is designed with multi-functionality to justify its addition to the system. The same wheel module serves multiple purposes: it provides transport capability when attached, and can be removed to maintain the original simple design. The universal design principle is applied by creating a wheel assembly that could potentially serve multiple functions (transport, storage stabilization) while maintaining a simple structure that doesn't permanently increase device complexity.
3Volume of moving object
If the mini-tiller is designed for compact storage, then storage space requirements are reduced, but stability during storage is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly incorporates a position adjustment mechanism that allows it to be moved between different locations on the frame. During transport, the wheel is positioned to support the machine weight. During storage, the wheel can be repositioned or adjusted to provide stability while maintaining compact dimensions. This dynamic positioning capability resolves the contradiction by allowing the same component to address both transport and storage requirements without permanently increasing the machine's footprint.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods are provided to facilitate the transport and storage of tilling machines and specifically mini-tillers. A wheel apparatus can attach to a tilling machine, such as by attachment to a drag bar, in a transport position or a storage position. In the transport position, the wheel apparatus can maintain tiller tines of the tilling machine above the ground surface with the weight of the tilling machine supported on the wheel apparatus, thereby allowing the tilling machine to be rolled for transport. In the storage position, the wheel apparatus can be attached to the drag bar, whereby both the tiller tines and the wheel apparatus rest on the ground surface to provide stability to the tilling machine. During operation the wheel apparatus can be removed from the tilling machine.