Individually Controlled Extra Wheels for Forestry Vehicle Ground Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles used in forestry and agriculture cause significant ground compression and damage due to their weight, leading to erosion, nutrient loss, and increased difficulty in driving, which existing solutions have not adequately addressed, especially in terms of preventing permanent damage and restoring ground support capacity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of individually controlled extra wheels mounted on vehicles to distribute the weight more evenly across the ground, with the ability to follow terrain contours and apply a driving force, reducing pressure and improving mobility, using a combination of hydraulic or electrical drive systems and damping arrangements to ensure consistent contact and support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If extra wheels are added to distribute vehicle weight, then ground pressure is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle's weight support function is segmented from the main chassis to independent extra wheels that can be individually controlled and positioned. This allows the weight distribution function to be separated from the primary vehicle structure, enabling flexible deployment to reduce ground pressure on specific areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The extra wheels are positioned laterally outward from the vehicle body, extending the support base into a wider spatial dimension. This lateral extension increases the ground contact area without requiring lengthening the vehicle chassis, effectively reducing ground pressure through dimensional expansion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If individually controlled extra wheels are used to follow terrain contours, then adaptability to terrain improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extra wheels are designed with individual vertical control capabilities, allowing each wheel to dynamically adjust its position to follow terrain contours. This dynamic adjustment enables the vehicle to adapt to uneven ground surfaces while maintaining stable support and weight distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
Each extra wheel is independently controllable, allowing local adaptation to terrain variations at specific contact points. This local control enables different parts of the vehicle to respond to different ground conditions, improving overall terrain adaptability without requiring uniform adjustment across the entire vehicle.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If extra wheels are added to distribute weight, then ground damage is reduced, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The extra wheels serve multiple functions: they distribute vehicle weight to reduce ground pressure, provide additional support on uneven terrain, and can be independently controlled to navigate obstacles. This multi-functionality consolidates several operational benefits into a single system addition.
Solution Approach 2:
The extra wheels are equipped with independent driving capability, allowing them to autonomously navigate terrain and maintain contact with the ground without requiring direct manual control. This self-service capability reduces the operational burden on the driver while maintaining ground protection benefits.
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 effectively reduces ground pressure and damage by distributing the vehicle's weight more evenly, minimizing erosion and nutrient loss, while enhancing vehicle mobility and reducing the risk of getting stuck in vegetation, thus preserving forest health and reducing restoration costs.
Implementation Method 1
The arrangement (1) also comprises at least two damped, jointed, spring-mounted arms (12) on which the extra wheels (5) are mounted
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention concerns an arrangement (1) intended to be mounted at a vehicle (2), comprising a load- bearing part (3) and driving wheels (4), where the arrangement (1) comprises at least two extra wheels (5) that can be individually controlled in the vertical direction and that are mounted at the vehicle (2) in order to distribute the weight of the vehicle, the gross weight of the vehicle including its payload weight, over more areas of the support (6), the ground, and in this way improve the distribution of weight and reduce the pressure exerted against the support, the ground. Each of the individually controlled extra wheels (5) comprises a pair of wheels and is subject to a driving force. The invention concerns also a vehicle (2) comprising such an arrangement (1).