Segmented Turf Wheel With Scraper to Prevent Wheel Marks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional turf wheels cause damage and unsightly marks on turf surfaces due to compression and build-up of debris, leading to reduced traction and maintenance issues, especially in wet conditions.
Innovation Solution
A low impact turf wheel design featuring a wheel rim with radially extending projections that maintain the wheel above the turf, combined with a non-continuous tread and a turf wheel scraper system to continuously remove debris, preventing build-up and minimizing contact with the ground.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional tread wheels are used to traverse turf, then the wheel can provide traction and support weight, but the wheel compresses the turf and creates wheel marks and ruts
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel tread is segmented into multiple discrete projections rather than a continuous surface. Each projection is spaced apart to allow turf to pass through the gaps, reducing compression and wheel marks while maintaining traction through the distributed contact points
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel surface has non-uniform local properties with discrete projections having specific geometries (height, width, spacing) optimized for different functions: some projections provide traction while others allow turf passage, creating localized zones of different interaction characteristics with the turf
2Reliability
If conventional wheels operate in wet conditions, then the wheel can maintain contact with the ground, but turf material builds up on the wheel surface forming continuous bands
Solution Approach 1:
The design extracts and removes turf material from the wheel surface using scraper elements that actively scrape off accumulating debris. The discontinuous projection design also prevents continuous band formation by creating gaps where turf can pass through rather than accumulate
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel projections and scrapers are designed to dynamically interact with turf material during rotation, with the scrapers positioned to continuously remove debris as the wheel turns, adapting to varying turf conditions and maintaining consistent performance
3Stability of the object's composition
If the wheel tread contacts the ground continuously, then the wheel provides stable support, but it causes compression damage to the turf
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous tread is divided into discrete segmented projections that contact the ground at specific points rather than continuously. This segmentation reduces the total contact area and allows turf to pass through the gaps, minimizing compression while the distributed projections maintain overall wheel stability
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel tread structure creates a porous or open design with gaps between projections, allowing turf material to pass through rather than be compressed. This porous configuration reduces harmful compression effects while maintaining structural integrity and stability
Data Source
AI summary
A turf wheel having a wheel rim having an inner and outer surface, and an annular tread portion; a plurality of projections extending radially outward from the outer surface of the wheel rim, wherein each projection provides a stem, a ground contacting pad, and a ground engaging lug; and a hub. A wheel cleaning system having a frame provided by a wheeled apparatus; at least one turf wheel mounted to the frame; a turf wheel scraper assembly, the turf wheel scraper assembly providing a turf wheel scraper and an attachment mechanism, where the attachment mechanism is adapted to be mounted to the frame, and couples the turf wheel scraper to the frame.