Bogie Chassis Axle Carrier Dynamics and Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural harvesting and tillage machines equipped with bogey chassis face challenges such as unintended machine drop when driving over uneven terrain, unsteady driving behavior due to rocking wheel axles, and undesirable influences on driving behavior at higher speeds, particularly in road transport operations.

Innovation Solution

The integration of pressure medium actuators that allow for adjustable angular positions of the axle support relative to the pivot axis, enabling both rocking and fixed pivot positions, along with a pressure medium control device for various operating modes, including rocking, actuating, and height adjustment, to improve chassis functionality and adaptability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a bogey chassis with rocking wheel axles is used, then ground adaptation and load distribution are improved, but driving stability deteriorates when crossing uneven terrain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveground adaptationVSAvoiddriving stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The axle carrier is designed to dynamically switch between two states: rocking mode for ground adaptation and fixed mode for stability. The locking mechanism allows the axle carrier to transition from a dynamic rocking state to a statically locked position, enabling the system to adapt its behavior based on operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism creates an asymmetric state where one configuration (locked) provides rigidity while another (unlocked) provides flexibility. This asymmetric design allows the same structure to serve dual purposes: maintaining stability when locked and providing ground adaptation when unlocked.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Adaptability or versatility

If a bogey chassis with rocking wheel axles is used, then height adjustment capability is improved, but driving behavior at higher speeds deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight adjustment capabilityVSAvoiddriving behavior at higher speeds
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts its structural characteristics by allowing the axle carrier to rock at low speeds for height adjustment and ground adaptation, then locks at higher speeds to provide stable driving behavior. The locking mechanism enables this dynamic transition between flexible and rigid states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The structural parameter of the axle carrier changes from flexible (rocking) to rigid (locked) based on operating conditions. This parameter change allows the system to optimize performance for different speed regimes and operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If the axle carrier is made rigid to improve driving stability, then ground adaptation capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving stabilityVSAvoidground adaptation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than choosing between rigid and flexible designs, the invention makes the axle carrier dynamically switchable. The locking mechanism allows the same structure to be rigid when needed for stability and flexible when needed for ground adaptation, eliminating the need to choose one characteristic over the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If the axle carrier is divided into pivotable parts for height adjustment, then height adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight adaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The axle carrier is segmented into pivotable parts that can be adjusted relative to each other for height adaptation. This segmentation enables height adjustment capability while the locking mechanism ensures these segments work together as a unified structure when stability is required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The segmented axle carrier parts dynamically transition from movable (for height adjustment) to fixed (for stable operation). The locking mechanism coordinates the segments into a rigid assembly when needed, managing the complexity by providing a simple lock/unlock transition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 enhances the machine's ability to maintain stability and adapt to different driving situations by allowing precise control of the bogey undercarriage, reducing unsteady driving behaviors and improving load distribution, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and safety.

Implementation Method 1

at least two pressure medium actuators (13, 14) are provided which are arranged and designed in such a way that they enable normal bogey driving with wheel axles (8, 9) rocking up and down in opposite directions, but on the other hand they also enable driving with a frozen pivot position of the axle carrier (10), so to speak, or the fixing of at least one axle carrier part (10a, 10b) with respect to the pivot axis (11)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

The at least two pressure medium actuators (13, 14) are arranged and designed in such a way that they enable normal bogey driving with wheel axles (8, 9) rocking up and down in opposite directions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDisplacement principle: Pascal's Law

Data Source

PatentEP3491908B1Agricultural harvesting and/or soil working machine
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 ALOIS POETTINGER MASCHFAB
  • EP3491908B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3491908B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3491908B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to an agricultural harvesting and/or soil cultivation machine with a machine frame supported on the ground by at least one bogie chassis, which has two wheel axles each attached to an axle carrier. The axle carrier, together with the wheel axles, is pivotably mounted about a pivot axis in a rocker-like manner. The axle carrier is divided into at least two axle carrier sections for adjusting the height of the bogie chassis, and these sections are pivotable relative to each other. According to the invention, at least two hydraulic actuators are provided for adjusting the relative position of the axle carrier sections to each other and for adjusting the angular position of the axle carrier with respect to the pivot axis relative to the machine frame.