Header Gauge Wheel Assembly With Hydraulic Retraction for Uneven Terrain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural headers, being wide and supported by gauge wheels, face challenges with load distribution and stability on uneven surfaces, leading to potential damage and soil contamination during operation.
Innovation Solution
A header assembly with hydraulic cylinders and biasing elements that allow the gauge wheels to adjust between extended and retracted configurations, supported by a hydraulic system with accumulators and controllers for precise pressure control, enabling stable operation and compact transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If gauge wheels are used to support the weight of the header, then load distribution is improved, but stability on uneven surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gauge wheel assembly is made dynamically adjustable through a hydraulic cylinder that can extend and retract. This allows the gauge wheel to move between a lowered position (for weight support) and a retracted position (for stability), transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that can adapt to different operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical position of the gauge wheel is changed as a controllable parameter. By adjusting the extension/retraction state of the hydraulic cylinder, the system changes the spatial parameter of the gauge wheel position to optimize either load distribution or stability depending on operational requirements.
2Stability of the object's composition
If gauge wheels are extended to support header weight, then operational stability is improved, but transport efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gauge wheel assembly transitions from a fixed extended position to a dynamic system that can retract. During transport, the hydraulic cylinder retracts the gauge wheel to a raised position, reducing the header's overall width and improving transport efficiency while maintaining operational stability when extended during harvesting.
Solution Approach 2:
The gauge wheel assembly serves multiple functions: it provides weight support and stability during operational phases, and can be retracted to enable efficient transport. This multi-functionality allows the same structure to optimize for different operational modes without requiring separate support systems.
3Ease of operation
If gauge wheels remain extended during transport, then operational readiness is improved, but transport compactness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gauge wheel position is made dynamically controllable rather than fixed. The hydraulic cylinder enables rapid transition between extended (operational readiness) and retracted (transport compactness) positions, allowing the system to optimize for the current operational phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The gauge wheel can be extended in advance before operational phases begin, ensuring operational readiness is established beforehand. Conversely, it can be retracted in advance before transport, achieving compactness proactively. This preliminary action principle allows the system to be prepared for upcoming operational requirements.
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 solution ensures stable header operation on uneven terrain, preventing damage and soil contamination while allowing efficient transport by adjusting wheel position, maintaining consistent clearance height and reducing mechanical stress.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic cylinder configured to selectively extend from a retracted configuration towards an extended configuration
Implementation Method 2
a biasing element arranged to bias the hydraulic cylinder to the retracted configuration
Implementation Method 3
at least one accumulator for charging to the fixed pressure, such that the at least one accumulator maintains the fixed pressure in the hydraulic cylinder
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A header assembly (200) for an agricultural vehicle, the header assembly comprising: a header (201) comprising a lower surface (203); and at least one gauge wheel assembly comprising: a gauge wheel (222); and a coupling mechanism (226) coupling the gauge wheel (222) to the header (201), the coupling mechanism (226) including: a hydraulic cylinder (230) configured to selectively extend from a retracted configuration towards an extended configuration to urge a lower edge of the gauge wheel (222) below and away from the lower surface (203) of the header (201); and a biasing element (228) arranged to bias the hydraulic cylinder (230) to the retracted configuration.