Reversible Plough Damper for Controlled Wheel Inversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mounted reversible ploughs face challenges in controlling the speed of wheel descent during inversion to reduce mechanical stress and enhance safety, while also minimizing interference with directional changes during transport, due to the limitations of existing damping systems.

Innovation Solution

A plough design featuring a combined wheel with a damper system that includes a movable sleeve and rod configuration, where the damper is only active during frame inversion, not during transport, to slow down the wheel's oscillation and protect against foreign impacts, allowing for depth adjustment and support during both operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a damper is used to slow down the wheel oscillation during frame inversion, then the mechanical stress is reduced and safety is improved, but the damper becomes exposed to foreign bodies that can cause deformation or compromise operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety during inversionVSAvoidexposure to foreign bodies
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The damper is nested within the wheel structure, with the damper piston rod integrated into the wheel hub. This nesting protects the damper from external impacts while maintaining its damping function during frame inversion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The wheel hub acts as an intermediary structure that houses the damper mechanism. This intermediary protection allows the damper to function without being directly exposed to foreign bodies thrown from the wheel during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the damper is designed to slow down wheel oscillation during inversion, then mechanical stress is reduced, but the damper hinders directional changes of the wheel during transport

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol of wheel descent speedVSAvoiddirectional changes during transport
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The damper system is designed to be dynamically active only during frame inversion when wheel oscillation needs control. During transport, the damper mechanism remains engaged but does not interfere with wheel rotation, allowing free directional changes. The system adapts its damping effect based on operational phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The damper provides localized damping effect specifically during the inversion phase when vertical oscillation occurs. The damping action is concentrated on the vertical movement of the wheel during inversion, while leaving horizontal rotational freedom intact during transport operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the damper is made with low damping for transport safety, then directional changes are enabled, but the effectiveness during frame inversion is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirectional changes during transportVSAvoiddamping effectiveness during inversion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The damper system dynamically adjusts its effectiveness based on operational phase. During transport, the damper allows free wheel rotation for directional changes. During frame inversion, the damper engages to provide strong damping effect. This dynamic behavior is achieved through the mechanical linkage between the wheel hub and frame inversion mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The damper operates in periodic cycles, providing high damping during inversion phases and low interference during transport phases. The system alternates between these operational states based on the plough's operational requirements, maintaining both transport safety and inversion effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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

This design enhances the reliability of the damping system, improves safety during transport by allowing free directional changes, and facilitates easy depth adjustment of ploughing elements, while minimizing mechanical stress and potential damage from foreign objects.

Implementation Method 1

the oscillation of the wheel from one side of the frame of the plough to the other side is slowed down by a damper

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

this inversion occurs due to the force of gravity during the rotation of the frame of the plough by 180° about the inversion axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4175449B1Mounted reversible plough
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 MASCHIO GASPARDO
  • EP4175449B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4175449B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4175449B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Mounted reversible plough comprising a frame and an attachment member for attaching the frame to a tractor. The frame carries at least a first ploughing element and at least a second ploughing element which are mutually opposing and is rotatably secured to the attachment member about an inversion axis in order to invert the frame. The plough further comprises a wheel which is configured for adjusting a working depth of the plough in two opposing operating positions of the wheel in which the first ploughing element and the second ploughing element are operative, respectively, and an arm which, on the one hand, supports the wheel and, on the other hand, is rotatably connected to a support of the frame about an oscillation axis which is transverse with respect to the inversion axis so as to allow an oscillation of the arm between the first and second operating position of the wheel.