Pendulum Axle Inversion for Steering Clearance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Combine harvesters with oscillating axle bodies face limitations in steering angle due to the pivoting mobility, which reduces maneuverability and increases the risk of wheel collision with the chassis when navigating uneven terrain.

Innovation Solution

A combine harvester design featuring a chassis with steerable wheels and a pendulum axle that allows for increased clearance during bumps, utilizing a virtual swing axle and a coupling device with sensors and actuators to maintain the instantaneous center of movement above the axle body, ensuring maximum steering angle without wheel-chassis contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the axle body is made movable in an oscillating manner about a swing axle, then the vehicle can easily overcome uneven ground, but the maximum steering angle is limited due to the risk of wheels hitting the chassis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to overcome uneven groundVSAvoidsteering angle range

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of placing the swing axle below the axle body (which causes wheel-chassis collision), the invention inverts the arrangement by positioning the swing axle above the axle body. This inversion allows the wheels to pivot outward when encountering bumps, increasing clearance from the chassis while maintaining steering capability. The instantaneous center of rotation is thereby moved to a position that prevents harmful contact during oscillation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a conventional single-axis suspension to a combined oscillating and steerable axle body that operates in multiple dimensions. The axle body can both oscillate vertically to accommodate terrain variations and steer horizontally for maneuverability, creating a two-degree-of-freedom system that resolves the contradiction between terrain adaptability and steering range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If the swing axle is positioned below the axle body, then the pivoting movement is simplified, but the steering angle is reduced due to wheel-chassis contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplification of pivoting mechanismVSAvoidsteering angle

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional swing axle positioning by placing it above rather than below the axle body. This inversion maintains the simplicity of the pivoting mechanism while fundamentally changing the kinematics to prevent wheel-chassis contact during steering operations, thereby preserving both structural simplicity and steering capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If the axle body is made steerable, then maneuverability on level ground is improved, but the space above the axle body is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaneuverability on level groundVSAvoiduseful volume above axle body

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention makes the axle body dynamically capable of both steerable movement and oscillating movement, allowing it to adapt its configuration based on operational needs. The axle body can steer for maneuverability on level ground while simultaneously accommodating vertical oscillations for terrain adaptation, maximizing the utility of the available space without permanent structural encumbrance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 design enhances maneuverability on level ground and allows easy navigation of uneven terrain without wheel-chassis collisions, maintaining a safe steering angle and reducing the risk of contact during bumps.

Implementation Method 1

an axle body (6) which carries two steerable wheels (3) and is movable in an oscillating manner about a swing axle (16) oriented in the direction of travel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPendulum movement: Pendulum

Implementation Method 2

the coupling device comprises a gear meshing with one toothing of the chassis and one toothing of the axle body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGear meshing: Gear

Implementation Method 3

the coupling device can have a sensor for detecting an angle by which the axle body is deflected from its normal position in relation to the chassis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAngular detection:

Data Source

PatentEP1997654B1Combine harvester with an axle with pivoting movement

Publication Date: 2012.05.16 CLAAS SELBSTFAHRENDE ERNTEMASCHINEN GMBH

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5

AI summary

The vehicle has a chassis (1) and an axle beam that is movable as oscillation around a pendulum axis oriented in a driving direction. The axle beam supports two rear wheels (3), where the pendulum axis on a part of the oscillating motion lies higher than an angular point of wheels. Two guides, where each guide is connected with the axle beam and the chassis by an upper and lower joints. The distance between upper joints of the guide is smaller than the distance between the lower joints.