Oblique Scraper Surfaces for Caterpillar Drive Wheel Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dirt, particularly stones, reduces traction between the crawler belt and drive wheels of agricultural working machines with caterpillar tracks, leading to increased wear and reduced service life when operating in muddy conditions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a stripping element with obliquely arranged scraping surfaces on the drive wheels to radially remove dirt and stones from the drive wheels, preventing accumulation in the guide groove and ensuring effective cleaning of the contact surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If drive wheels are used to drive the crawler track through muddy fields, then tractive force transmission is improved, but dirt and stones accumulate on the drive wheels reducing traction and increasing wear
Solution Approach 1:
The scraper element performs preliminary cleaning action by removing dirt and stones from the drive wheels before they contact the crawler track. This prevents contaminants from reducing traction and causing wear during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The scraper element acts as an intermediary component between the drive wheels and the environment. It intercepts and removes contaminants (dirt and stones) that would otherwise accumulate on the drive wheels and affect traction.
2Ease of operation
If drive wheels operate in muddy conditions, then mobility across rough terrain is improved, but stones become lodged in the tread causing increased wear on track and drive wheels
Solution Approach 1:
The scraper element performs preliminary removal of stones from the drive wheels before they can become lodged in the track tread. This prevents wear and extends the service life of both the track and drive wheels.
Solution Approach 2:
The scraper element converts the harmful accumulation of stones into a beneficial cleaning action. By positioning the scraper to remove stones from the drive wheels, it transforms a potential damage source into a protective mechanism.
3Reliability
If scraper element is added to remove contaminants from drive wheels, then traction is improved and wear is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scraper element is merged with the drive wheel assembly, utilizing the existing structural space and mounting mechanisms. This integration minimizes additional complexity while achieving the contaminant removal function.
Solution Approach 2:
The scraper element is designed to be self-actuating through the rotational motion of the drive wheels themselves. The rotation of the drive wheels provides the mechanical action needed to remove contaminants without requiring separate drive mechanisms.
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
Enhances traction by removing contaminants, reduces wear on the crawler belt and drive wheels, and extends their service life by preventing damage from stuck stones and dirt accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
a scraper element (9) is assigned to the drive wheels (8, 10), wherein the scraper element (9) comprises a first and a second scraper surface (17, 18), wherein the first and second scraper surfaces (17, 18) are each assigned to one of the drive wheels (8, 10) and are arranged obliquely to the circumferential direction of the drive wheels (8, 10)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an agricultural machine (1) with a tracked undercarriage (2), wherein the tracked undercarriage (2) comprises a right and a left drive wheel (8, 10) for driving an elastic track (6) of the tracked undercarriage (2), wherein the drive wheels (8, 10) are rotatably arranged about a common axis of rotation (11) and spaced apart from each other, wherein the drive wheels (8, 10) form a guide groove (13) between them, wherein a scraper element (9) is assigned to the drive wheels (8, 10), wherein the scraper element (9) comprises a first and a second scraper surface (17, 18), wherein the first and second scraper surfaces (17, 18) are each assigned to one of the drive wheels (8, 10) and are arranged obliquely to the circumferential direction (20) of the drive wheels (8, 10).