Pneumatic Press Wheel Tire Structure to Prevent Buckling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Press wheels in agricultural seeders are prone to buckling due to their high height-to-width ratio, leading to rapid wear and instability, and are sensitive to ground irregularities, causing degradation of furrows and increased machine vibration.

Innovation Solution

A tire design with a substantially constant profile over the circumference, featuring a hollowed-out structure with internal and external parts that flex to absorb shocks and distribute pressure evenly, reducing the risk of buckling and enhancing stability, while maintaining furrow shape and reducing wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the press wheel has a high height-to-width ratio to roll along the bottom of the furrow, then it can effectively press seeds into the soil, but the tire becomes susceptible to buckling and lateral bending

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseed pressing capabilityVSAvoidtire structural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The tire is divided into distinct functional zones: a reinforced central running area for structural stability and seed pressing, and flexible sidewall regions for shock absorption. This segmentation allows different parts of the tire to perform specialized functions - the central portion maintains rigidity to prevent buckling while the sidewalls provide compliance to handle ground irregularities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tire incorporates localized reinforcement in the central running area through increased rubber compound density and structural design features, while the sidewalls maintain a more flexible composition. This local quality differentiation enables the tire to have both the stiffness needed for seed pressing and the flexibility needed to absorb shocks from uneven terrain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the tire has a high height-to-width ratio for furrow rolling, then it can reach the bottom of the furrow, but the compressive force makes the tire's cross-section unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefurrow penetration capabilityVSAvoidcross-sectional stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The tire structure is segmented into a reinforced central running area that maintains cross-sectional integrity under compressive loads, and flexible sidewall regions that can deform to absorb impact. This segmentation allows the tire to penetrate furrows effectively while preventing catastrophic cross-sectional failure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tire incorporates pre-designed flexible zones and shock-absorbing features in the sidewalls that are prepared in advance to cushion against ground irregularities and stones. This beforehand cushioning prevents the compressive forces from causing instability in the tire's cross-section during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Productivity

If the press wheel operates at high working speeds, then productivity increases, but shocks from ground irregularities increase machine vibration and fatigue

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworking speedVSAvoidmachine vibration and fatigue
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tire incorporates pre-designed shock-absorbing features in the sidewalls and between the tread and rim that are prepared in advance to cushion against ground irregularities. This beforehand cushioning reduces the transmission of shocks to the machine at high working speeds, thereby reducing vibration and fatigue while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The tire's physical parameters are optimized for high-speed operation, including the rubber compound composition and structural design that provide both durability and shock absorption. These parameter changes enable the tire to withstand high working speeds while minimizing the harmful effects of ground irregularities on machine vibration and fatigue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If the tire width is reduced to press seeds in fine furrows, then adaptability to different furrow types improves, but the tire becomes more susceptible to damage from stones and irregularities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefurrow type adaptabilityVSAvoidtire durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tire incorporates localized reinforcement in the central running area and optimized rubber compound distribution that provides enhanced durability in the regions most susceptible to stone and irregularity damage, while maintaining the reduced width needed for fine furrow adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The tire's physical parameters including rubber compound composition, thickness distribution, and structural design are optimized to provide enhanced durability and resistance to stone damage while maintaining the reduced width necessary for adapting to fine furrows and different soil conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 tire design effectively transmits force to press seeds into the ground, absorbs ground irregularities, and reduces wear by stabilizing the tire's operation, preserving furrow shape and extending tire lifespan, even at high working speeds.

Implementation Method 1

The tire design with a substantially constant profile over the circumference, featuring a hollowed-out structure with internal and external parts that flex to absorb shocks and distribute pressure evenly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2982229B1Agricultural tool with an improved pneumatic
Publication Date: 2023.12.27 OTICO
  • EP2982229B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2982229B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP2982229B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Agricultural tool comprising a tire (5) including a tread (53), two sidewalls (55, 56) and a sole (51). The tire (5) further comprises an intermediate part (54) arranged between the tread (53) and the sole (51) to delimit, together with the tread (53) and the two sidewalls (55, 56) , an envelope around a chamber (65). The spacer portion (54) has a recessed structure configured such that the spacer portion (54) sags more than the casing while maintaining a width footprint less than or equal to that of the casing.