Grain Cart Self-Steering Front Axle and Load Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dual axle grain carts face difficulties in steering and incorporating adequate suspension and integral weigh scales due to complex actuation and chassis design, making them challenging to navigate uneven terrain and accurately measure loads.
Innovation Solution
A grain cart design featuring steerable front wheels and fixed rear wheels with a rear suspension mechanism that allows rocking movement, combined with a hitch arm actuator to transfer load to the towing vehicle, enabling self-steering and improved load distribution, and incorporating load cells for accurate weight measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If dual axle configuration is used to increase grain cart capacity, then the grain cart can carry more load, but the steering becomes difficult and the chassis design becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The front wheel assemblies are made steerable by allowing them to pivot about upright steering axes, enabling the front wheels to dynamically adjust their orientation to follow the towing vehicle's path. This dynamic steering capability resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation (steering) while preserving the dual axle configuration for increased capacity.
2Reliability
If complex actuation is implemented to steer one axle, then the grain cart can better track the towing vehicle, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The front wheel assemblies are designed to self-steer by pivoting about upright steering axes, automatically following the towing vehicle's direction without requiring complex active actuation systems. This self-service approach achieves reliable tracking while minimizing device complexity by eliminating the need for sophisticated steering actuators.
3Reliability
If dual axle chassis is designed with active steering, then the grain cart can follow the towing vehicle better, but it becomes difficult to incorporate adequate suspension
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system is segmented into independent rear suspension members that connect the rear axle support member to the main frame. Each suspension member can independently rock about a longitudinal axis, providing adequate suspension freedom without interfering with the steering mechanism. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing both tracking performance and suspension integration.
4Quantity of substance
If dual axle configuration is used, then the grain cart capacity increases, but incorporating an integral weigh scale becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The weigh scale is merged with the main frame structure by mounting load cells directly between the hopper and the main frame. This integration approach allows the weigh scale to be incorporated into the dual axle configuration without adding significant complexity, as the load measurement function is combined with the existing structural elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A grain cart includes front wheels steerable about respective upright and rearwardly inclined steering axes arranged in a trailing self-steering configuration and rear wheel assemblies which are fixed in a forward working direction. The front wheel assemblies are fixed to the main frame of the cart except for the pivotal movement about the steering axes. The rear wheel assemblies are supported on a rear axle support member coupled by a rear suspension to the main frame so as to be arranged for rocking movement about a forward longitudinal axis. The grain cart optionally incorporates a load scale integrally into the main frame, as well as a hitch arm actuator to transfer of some of the load from the grain cart wheels to the towing vehicle by actuating the hitch arm to pivot the hitch arm downward relative to the main frame.