Segmented Turf Wheel Tread for Low-Marking Traction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wheels leave unsightly marks and damage turf, and accumulate debris leading to traction loss and wheel sticking, especially in wet conditions.
Innovation Solution
A low impact turf wheel with radially extending projections and a non-continuous tread design, combined with a turf wheel scraper system, to minimize turf compression and continuously remove debris.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional continuous tread wheels are used, then the wheel provides continuous contact with the ground for stability, but it causes turf compression and damage, leaving wheel marks and ruts
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel tread is segmented into discrete projections rather than a continuous surface. Each projection is separated by gaps, allowing turf to pass through while the projections provide discrete contact points for traction. This segmentation reduces the total contact area with the turf surface, minimizing compression and damage while maintaining sufficient grip through the distributed projection contacts.
2Productivity
If conventional wheels operate in wet conditions, then they can traverse the turf, but they accumulate debris and turf material on their surface, leading to traction loss
Solution Approach 1:
The design extracts and removes debris and turf material from the wheel surface through the gaps between projections. As the wheel rotates, the gaps allow accumulated material to be shed and fall through to the ground, preventing the formation of continuous debris bands that would otherwise build up on conventional continuous tread wheels and cause traction loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel tread functions as a porous structure with gaps between projections that allow passage of turf material and debris. This porosity enables the wheel to self-clean by allowing accumulated material to fall through the gaps during rotation, maintaining traction performance in wet and debris-prone conditions without requiring external cleaning mechanisms.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the wheel rim contacts the turf directly, then it provides maximum traction, but it creates unsightly wheel marks and damages the turf surface
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel rim contact is segmented into discrete projections rather than a continuous rim contact. The gaps between projections allow turf to pass through and reduce the overall contact footprint, minimizing visible wheel marks and turf damage. The distributed projections provide sufficient cumulative traction force while reducing the harmful concentrated pressure of continuous rim contact.
Data Source
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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.