Plough Lateral Force Compensation via Pivotable Support Wheel
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing systems for mounted and semi-mounted plows experience lateral force issues during plowing, affecting the tractor's stability and handling, leading to increased driver effort and fuel consumption, particularly due to the offset traction line and varying center of reaction of plowing forces.
Innovation Solution
A device is introduced to adjust the angle of the support wheel relative to its axis and the direction of advance, allowing for compensation of lateral forces and refocusing the traction line, thereby improving plowing efficiency and reducing fuel consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the plow uses a universal joint coupling device with fixed vertical axis articulation, then the plow can maintain a simple structure, but the traction line becomes offset from the tractor center producing harmful lateral forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the vertical axis of articulation movable rather than fixed. The axis can pivot horizontally within a range, allowing the coupling device to adapt its configuration dynamically. This dynamic adjustment enables the traction line to remain aligned with the tractor center despite variations in plowing conditions, thereby eliminating harmful lateral forces while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Device complexity
If the support wheel is fixed in orientation, then the plow structure remains simple, but the working width deviates from theoretical width due to lateral force effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the support wheel to pivot dynamically around a horizontal axis rather than being fixed in orientation. This dynamic capability allows the wheel to automatically adjust its angle in response to lateral forces, maintaining the plow's working width aligned with the theoretical width. The wheel's orientation becomes adaptive, compensating for lateral deviations without requiring complex correction mechanisms.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the tractor driver steers against the lateral force, then the tractor can maintain lateral stability, but the driver effort and fuel consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the blessing in disguise principle by converting the harmful lateral force into a beneficial self-correcting mechanism. The movable vertical axis and pivotable support wheel work together to automatically counteract lateral forces through their geometric configuration. The system uses the lateral force itself to drive the corrective motion, transforming the harmful effect into the driving force for maintaining stability, thereby eliminating the need for additional driver effort and reducing fuel consumption.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a mounted or semi-mounted plow (1) comprising essentially a frame (2) carrying plow bodies (3) and connected by an articulated structure (4) to a front hitch device (12), said plow (1) further comprising at least one ground support wheel (5), which is connected to said frame (2) by a wheel support device (6) and mounted with the ability to pivot or orient around at least one axis (X), oriented vertically with respect to the rolling surface of said support wheel (5). The plow (1) is characterized in that it also comprises a device (8) for adjusting the angle of orientation of said at least one support wheel (5), with respect to said at least one axis (X) and/or with respect to the normal forward direction (A) of the plow (1) in plowing.