End Wheel Assembly Guide Plate Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural implements, such as land rollers, face difficulties in transforming between transport and operating positions due to their wide size, which complicates transportation and operation, requiring multiple components and complex maneuvers to adjust wing sections and wheel positions.
Innovation Solution
The end wheel assembly, comprising an end wheel, wheel pivot, wheel member, attachment brackets, wheel actuator, and guide plate, allows for the transformation of the implement frame between transport and field positions by pivoting the wheel assemblies to adjust the wing sections' orientation and support, simplifying the conversion process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the implement is made wide to increase working path coverage, then productivity is improved, but transportation becomes difficult and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The end wheel assembly incorporates a guide plate with a channel that converts vertical wheel movement into rotational motion. As the wheel moves downward, the guide plate rotates, automatically turning the end wheel outward to achieve the field position. This dynamic mechanism eliminates the need for complex manual adjustment systems while enabling the implement to transition between wide field position and narrow transport position.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide plate mechanism is designed to automatically perform the wheel rotation function during the wheel's downward movement. The channel geometry itself provides the transformation from linear to rotational motion without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems. The system uses its own movement to accomplish the positioning function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are used to convert between transport and field positions, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guide plate combines multiple functions into a single component: it guides the wheel's vertical movement, transforms this movement into rotation, and controls the end wheel's orientation. By merging these functions into one integrated part, the system reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the operation required to transform between positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide plate acts as an intermediary mechanism between the wheel's vertical movement and the end wheel's rotational positioning. The channel in the guide plate mediates the transformation of motion type and direction, converting the simple vertical descent of the wheel into the complex rotational movement needed to turn the end wheel outward.
Data Source
AI summary
An end wheel assembly for transforming an implement frame from a transport position to a field position is provided. The end wheel assembly can have an end wheel, a wheel pivot rotatably connected to the end wheel, a wheel member pivotally connected to the wheel pivot, at least one attachment bracket attached to the wheel member and pivotally attachable to the implement frame, a wheel actuator to raise and lower the end wheel assembly, and a guide plate. The guide plate can have a channel, a first end connected to the wheel member, and a second end connected to the wheel pivot. The channel can be positioned to receive a positioning member when the end wheel assembly is pivoted downwards and to rotate the guide plate causing the wheel pivot and end wheel to rotate relative to the wheel member and turn the end wheel outwards.