Hydraulic Stabilizer Wheel Positioning for Agricultural Implements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wide towable agricultural tillage implements experience undesirable bouncing and deep digging during operation due to hinged joints and flexibility, requiring stabilizer wheels for damping but often requiring manual and time-consuming adjustments, which are prone to errors and inconvenient for operators.
Innovation Solution
A remotely positionable stabilizer wheel arrangement using a hydraulic positioning cylinder controlled by a unit that adjusts the stabilizer wheel's position based on input signals for desired depth and position, allowing automatic and on-the-fly adjustments without the need for manual intervention or complex systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If stabilizer wheels are manually adjusted using turnbuckles or screw jacks, then positioning can be achieved, but the process is time-consuming and prone to adjustment errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment systems (turnbuckles, screw jacks) with a hydraulic cylinder system controlled by an electronic control unit. The hydraulic system provides precise positioning through fluid pressure control, while the electronic control enables automated adjustment based on implement depth signals, eliminating manual intervention and reducing adjustment time significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizer wheel positioning system automatically adjusts itself based on signals from the implement depth control system. The electronic control unit receives depth information and autonomously commands the hydraulic cylinder to position the stabilizer wheels appropriately, making the system self-regulating without requiring operator intervention or assistant support.
2Stability of the object's composition
If stabilizer wheels press hard against the ground surface, then bouncing is reduced, but the lifting effect interferes with proper operation of tillage tools
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the implement depth control system to dynamically adjust stabilizer wheel positioning. The electronic control unit monitors the depth of tillage tools and automatically positions the stabilizer wheels to provide appropriate ground contact force, ensuring stability without creating excessive lifting effects that would interfere with tool operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizer wheel positioning is made dynamic rather than fixed. The hydraulic cylinder system allows continuous adjustment of wheel position and ground contact force based on operating conditions, enabling the system to optimize the balance between providing stabilizing pressure and avoiding interference with tillage tool depth control.
3Strength
If stabilizer wheels are extended far from the implement frame, then support is improved, but maneuverability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer wheels are mounted on extendable struts that can dynamically adjust their extension distance from the implement frame. During normal operation, the wheels extend to provide maximum support and damping. During turning and maneuvering, the electronic control unit retracts the wheels closer to the frame to reduce their leverage and improve maneuverability, allowing the system to optimize both support and maneuverability as needed.
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
Enables precise, efficient, and automatic positioning of stabilizer wheels, improving operational stability and seedbed quality by reducing bouncing and digging issues, while allowing operators to maintain control of the towing vehicle without manual assistance.
Implementation Method 1
A remotely positionable stabilizer wheel arrangement utilizing a control unit receiving an input signal indicative of a desired position of the stabilizer wheel... to control pressure in the hydraulic cylinder to hold the stabilizer wheel at a target position
Data Source
AI summary
A remotely positionable stabilizer wheel arrangement for a towable agricultural implement utilizes a control unit that receives an input signal indicative of a desired position of the stabilizer wheel, and/or a desired depth of penetration of tillage tools operatively attached to the front and rear of the implement frame, to automatically control a hydraulic positioning cylinder of the remotely positionable stabilizer wheel arrangement to position and hold the stabilizer wheel at the desired position of the stabilizer wheel, by controlling pressure in the hydraulic cylinder to hold the stabilizer wheel at a target position determined from the desired position input signal.