Offset Coupler Spindle for High-Clearance Sprayer Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-clearance agricultural sprayers face stability issues due to side-to-side wheel spacing requirements for conventional corn row spacing, compromising their ability to maintain stability during the spraying season while ensuring sufficient clearance for late-season corn crop applications.
Innovation Solution
A spacer assembly is introduced between the main suspension spindle and the wheel hub mounting bracket, allowing for increased ground-to-under frame clearance without altering the wheel spacing, achieved through an offset coupler spindle that maintains wheel contact points, thus enhancing stability and clearance height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If side-to-side wheel spacing is maintained to match conventional corn row spacing, then wheel spacing stability is improved, but ground-to-under frame clearance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention resolves the contradiction by transitioning the clearance adjustment from the horizontal dimension (wheel spacing) to the vertical dimension (ground clearance). By extending the suspension spindle vertically rather than adjusting wheel spacing horizontally, the patent achieves increased clearance while preserving stable wheel spacing for corn row navigation.
2Length of stationary object
If ground-to-under frame clearance is increased for late season corn application, then clearance height is improved, but vehicle stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by moving the clearance adjustment operation from the lateral dimension to the vertical dimension. The extended suspension spindle increases ground clearance without affecting wheel spacing, thereby maintaining vehicle stability while enabling late-season corn crop access.
3Length of stationary object
If wheel spacing is altered to increase clearance, then ground-to-under frame clearance is improved, but wheel contact point position deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention resolves this contradiction by performing clearance adjustment in the vertical dimension rather than the horizontal dimension. By extending the suspension spindle vertically, the patent increases ground clearance while keeping wheel spacing and contact point positions unchanged, thus maintaining manufacturing precision for wheel alignment.
Data Source
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AI summary
A suspension assembly (30) for a high-clearance vehicle having a forward direction of travel and a first operating clearance height, the suspension assembly (30) including an upright spindle journal (70, 72), a main suspension spindle (66, 68) received in said journal (70, 72) for rotating and sliding within said journal (70, 72), and a wheel hub mounting bracket (74, 76) being coupled to a lower end of said main suspension spindle (66, 68). In order for the spacing between tires (14, 16) at opposite sides of the vehicle to remain the same, with or without the usage of the spacer assemblies (30), each spacer assembly (30) includes a coupler spindle (82) extending parallel to, and offset inwardly from, a pivot axis of the associated main suspension spindle (66, 68) by a distance calculated to result in the desired tire spacing, this coupler spindle (82) being received in the bore at the top of the associated wheel hub mounting bracket (74, 76).