Retractable Row Crop Tire Guard Pivot Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current crop shields for agricultural vehicles are bulky, heavy, and time-consuming to install, leading to significant crop loss when harvesting row-planted crops as they fail to effectively prevent wheels from crushing vegetation.
Innovation Solution
A retractable tire guard system comprising a fender portion and a crop shield portion, connected by bracket assemblies, allowing for a pivoting motion between a fender configuration to prevent debris and a crop shield configuration to lift crops, reducing the need for manual installation and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current crop shields are used, then crops are protected from being crushed, but the shields are bulky, heavy and take many hours to install
Solution Approach 1:
The tire guard incorporates a movable crop shield portion that can pivot between a retracted position (covering the wheel) and an extended position (projecting forward to shield crops). This dynamic configuration allows the same structure to serve both as a protective shield during harvesting and as a streamlined fender during transport, eliminating the need for manual installation and removal of separate crop shield attachments
Solution Approach 2:
The tire guard structure performs multiple functions: when the crop shield portion is extended, it protects crops from being crushed; when retracted, it serves as a standard fender. The bracket assembly with pivotable connection enables the crop shield portion to transition between these functions, replacing the need for separate crop shield attachments that require time-consuming installation and removal
2Reliability
If current crop shields are used, then crops are protected from being crushed, but the shields are bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The tire guard is divided into distinct functional segments: a stationary fender portion attached to the wheel, and a movable crop shield portion connected via a bracket assembly. This segmentation allows the crop shield portion to be a lighter, simpler structure that only needs to pivot and extend forward for protection, rather than being a heavy, bulky attachment that must support the entire shielding function alone
Solution Approach 2:
By making the crop shield portion movable rather than fixed, the structure can use lighter materials and simpler bracing. The dynamic positioning allows the shield to achieve crop protection effectiveness only when needed (extended position), reducing the need for continuous heavy structural support throughout the entire assembly
3Reliability
If the crop shield portion is extended to protect crops, then crop loss is reduced, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The crop shield portion pivots on a bracket assembly that connects it to the wheel. This simple rotational joint allows the shield to transition between retracted and extended positions using basic mechanical leverage, avoiding the need for motors, sensors, or complex control systems. The bracket assembly itself provides structural support while enabling the movement, combining simplicity with functional effectiveness
Data Source
AI summary
A tire guard for a wheel of an agricultural vehicle includes a fender having a first width substantially covering a width of the wheel and a crop shield having a forward area and a back area. A first bracket connects the fender to the wheel and a second bracket connects the crop shield to the wheel. The crop shield is movable over the fender between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the forward area of the crop shield is disposed proximate an upper portion of the wheel and the back area of the crop shield is disposed proximate a rear portion of the wheel. In the second position, the forward area of the crop shield is disposed proximate a front portion of the wheel and the back area of the crop shield is disposed proximate an upper portion of the wheel.