Elastomeric Gauge Wheel Structure for Seed Depth and Soil Compaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gauge wheel tires made of higher modulus materials face challenges in flexing and maintaining consistent seed depth due to inadequate deflection, soil compaction issues, and difficulty in creating a robust connection between components during assembly.
Innovation Solution
A gauge wheel tire design featuring individually constructed elastomeric sections with internal members that control radial spring rate, allowing for flexibility in the radial direction while maintaining axial rigidity, and a method for joining these sections using adhesives, mechanical fasteners, or thermal welding to ensure even force application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional gauge wheel tires are made of higher modulus materials to increase strength and reduce soil compaction, then the material strength improves, but the tire's ability to flex and deflect adequately deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gauge wheel tire combines elastomeric material with higher modulus materials (such as wire reinforcement or fabric layers) to create a composite structure. This allows the tire to simultaneously achieve the strength and soil compaction resistance of high-modulus materials while retaining the flexing capability of elastomeric materials, directly resolving the technical contradiction between strength and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the tire are made from materials with different modulus properties. The tread area contacts the ground and benefits from higher modulus materials for strength, while the sidewall regions maintain elastomeric properties for flexibility and deflection. This local differentiation allows the tire to exhibit both high strength and adequate flexing capability in appropriate locations
2Manufacturing precision
If gauge wheel tires are made more rigid to maintain consistent seed depth, then seed depth consistency improves, but soil compaction issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The tire is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to adapt to varying field conditions. The elastomeric material provides natural damping and flexibility that enables the tire to maintain consistent seed depth through controlled deflection rather than rigid resistance, thereby avoiding soil compaction while achieving precision in seed placement
3Strength
If multiple gauge wheel components are assembled together to form a robust structure, then structural strength improves, but the difficulty of creating robust connections between components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention integrates multiple components (tread, sidewalls, reinforcement layers) into a unified elastomeric structure that can be manufactured as a single piece or pre-assembled unit. This merging approach eliminates the need for complex connections between separate components, reducing assembly difficulty while maintaining structural strength
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
The design enhances the tire's ability to maintain consistent seed depth and reduce soil compaction by controlling radial spring rate, while providing a robust and durable connection between components.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric ground engaging portion; a first elastomeric sidewall portion attached to the elastomeric ground engaging portion; a second elastomeric sidewall portion attached to the elastomeric ground engaging portion; an elastomeric axial support portion
Implementation Method 2
generates a compression force within the first member adjacent the first surface and a tension force within the first member adjacent the second surface
Implementation Method 3
generates a compression force within the first member adjacent the first surface and a tension force within the first member adjacent the second surface
Data Source
AI summary
A gauge wheel tire includes an elastomeric ground engaging portion, a first elastomeric sidewall portion, a second elastomeric sidewall portion, and an elastomeric axial support portion that define an annular cavity. The gauge wheel tire additionally includes at least a first member, which is both flexible and resilient, positioned in the annular cavity and fixedly attached to the elastomeric ground engaging portion and/or the elastomeric axial support portion, wherein the first member has a first surface and a second surface that faces away from the first surface, and is configured and arranged so that application of a force to the elastomeric ground engaging portion along a first line that intercepts and is perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the gauge wheel tire generates a compression force within the first member adjacent the first surface and a tension force within the first member adjacent the second surface.