Modular Wheel Assembly for Adjustable Farm Vehicle Geometry
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural field robots and tractors are inflexible and costly, requiring multiple units for different crop types and terrains, and are not easily adaptable to varying track widths, vertical heights, or power configurations, making them unsuitable for small farms with diverse crop needs.
Innovation Solution
A modular vehicle system with interchangeable wheel assemblies, each equipped with a motor, network interface, and controller, allowing for adjustable configurations and communication between components to optimize movement and tool attachment, enabling efficient operation on various terrains and crop types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional tractors are used with fixed wheel configurations, then structural simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different track widths, vertical heights, and crop types is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle is divided into modular components including interchangeable wheel assemblies, adjustable suspension systems, and separable implements. Each wheel assembly can be independently replaced or adjusted to change track width and vertical height without affecting the entire vehicle structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension system incorporates adjustable linkages and telescopic components that allow dynamic reconfiguration of wheel position, track width, and vertical clearance. These mechanisms enable the vehicle to adapt its geometry on-demand rather than requiring complete disassembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specialized tractors are purchased for different field conditions, then operational capability across diverse terrains is improved, but total cost of ownership increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single vehicle platform is designed to perform multiple functions through interchangeable wheel assemblies and adjustable configurations. The same chassis can be adapted for high-clearance row crops, low-profile vegetables, vineyard terrain, and greenhouse operations by changing wheel and implement configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of purchasing multiple specialized vehicles, the system allows temporary discarding of specific wheel assemblies and implements when they are no longer needed for a particular crop or terrain, and recovering/reusing the base vehicle platform for different applications.
3Ease of operation
If large-radius Ackermann steering is used in full-size tractors, then steering stability is maintained, but ability to turn in place or navigate tight spaces is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The steering system transitions from fixed Ackermann geometry to a dynamic configuration where wheel assemblies can independently adjust their steering angles and positions. This allows the vehicle to achieve zero-turn capability by rotating wheels in opposite directions while maintaining stable operation through active control.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering mechanism allows asymmetric wheel positioning and angle adjustment, where each wheel can be independently controlled to different steering angles. This asymmetry enables tight turning radii and in-place rotation while the control system maintains overall vehicle stability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If mechanically intensive wheel extensions are installed to adjust track width, then track width adaptability is achieved, but modification time and operational downtime increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly is designed as a complete modular unit that includes the wheel, hub, and mounting components. Entire wheel assemblies can be quickly swapped between vehicle sides to change track width, eliminating the need for time-consuming mechanical extensions and adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
Wheel assemblies are pre-configured with specific track width settings before installation. Multiple pre-adjusted wheel assemblies can be stored and quickly exchanged, allowing operators to change track width without performing field adjustments or modifications during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a wheel assembly including a housing having a top side, an attachment arrangement on the top side of the housing and configured to be removably attached to an external support, a wheel supported by the housing and arranged below the top side of the housing, a motor supported by the housing and configured to move the wheel, a network interface supported by the housing, and a controller in communication with the motor and the network interface, the controller configured to control the motor based on at least one command received via the network interface. A modular vehicle system is also described.