Segmented Drive Axle for Forage Harvester Weight Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-propelled forage harvesters face challenges in optimizing weight distribution and center of gravity, particularly when using heavy front attachments, requiring complex designs and additional ballast weights to maintain control and efficiency, especially at higher speeds.
Innovation Solution
The drive axle is composed of a center part and axle carrier units that are rigidly flange-connected on both sides, with forwardly-positioned wheel gears, creating a U-shaped design that shifts the drive wheels closer to the front attachment, optimizing weight distribution and allowing for a more compact, cost-effective assembly with improved heat dissipation and dust protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If additional ballast weights are installed to optimize center of gravity, then weight distribution is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drive axle is divided into a center part and two separate axle carrier units that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the axle carrier units to be displaced along the front axle to adjust weight distribution without adding ballast weights, thereby resolving the contradiction between improving weight distribution and reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The axle carrier units are designed to be dynamically positionable along the front axle through detachable connecting elements. This dynamic positioning capability allows the center of gravity to be adjusted according to different operating conditions and front attachment weights, achieving optimal weight distribution without complex ballast systems
2Stability of the object's composition
If axle carrier units are displaced to shift center of gravity, then weight distribution is optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive axle is segmented into a center part and two independent axle carrier units with detachable connecting elements. This segmentation enables independent displacement of axle carrier units along the front axle, allowing center of gravity adjustment without requiring complex integrated systems
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds a longitudinal positioning dimension to the axle carrier units, allowing them to be displaced along the front axle. This dimensional freedom enables center of gravity adjustment in the longitudinal direction without increasing vertical or lateral complexity
3Stability of the object's composition
If drive wheels are positioned closer to front attachment, then weight distribution is improved, but space for material processing device is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented drive axle design with independent axle carrier units allows precise positioning of drive wheels closer to the front attachment while maintaining clearances for material processing equipment. The detachable connecting elements enable fine-tuning of positions to balance weight distribution with spatial requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic positioning capability of axle carrier units allows the drive wheels to be adjusted to optimal positions that balance weight distribution benefits with the need for adequate space for material processing devices, resolving the spatial conflict
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a self-propelled forage harvester (1) that is equipped with a front attachment (3) and includes a rigid axle (5), a transmission (10) and two wheel gears (9), which are installed upstream of the drive wheels (7) and are coupled with the transmission (10) in a driving manner, the drive axle (5) being composed of a center part (31) and axle carrier units (28) rigidly flange-connected on the right and left sides of the center part (31), each axle carrier unit (28) including wheel gears (9) that extend forward, in the direction toward the front attachment (3).