Adjustable Sprayer Axle Control for Variable Tread Width
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural vehicles with spray operations face challenges in efficiently adjusting their wheelbase to accommodate targets at various widths within a field, leading to inconsistent application of agricultural products.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system with an axle arrangement that allows for extension and retraction of wheel assemblies along a transverse axis, coupled with a computing system that adjusts the steering angle based on vehicle speed and axle position, enabling dynamic adjustment of tread-width and steering to optimize spray operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle width is altered to accommodate targets at various widths, then the adaptability to different field conditions is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the adjustable axle arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The axle arrangement is made dynamically adjustable, allowing the distance between opposing lateral wheel assemblies to be changed during operation. The second axle element can be positioned at different locations relative to the fore-aft axis, enabling the vehicle width to adapt to various target widths while maintaining operational flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The axle arrangement is divided into separate axle elements (first and second axle elements) that can be independently positioned and adjusted. This segmentation allows the second axle element to be relocated along the transverse axis to change the vehicle width, providing adaptability without requiring complete redesign of the entire axle system
2Manufacturing precision
If the steering angle is adjusted in real-time based on vehicle speed and axle position, then the manufacturing precision of spray application is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the integrated control system
Solution Approach 1:
The computing system receives real-time data about vehicle speed and axle element positions, processes this information, and automatically adjusts the steering angle accordingly. This feedback loop ensures precise spray application by continuously adapting the steering angle to current operating conditions, eliminating the need for manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The computing system serves multiple functions: it monitors vehicle speed, tracks axle element positions, calculates optimal steering angles, and controls the steering actuator. This multi-functionality integrates several control tasks into a single system, improving spray precision while managing complexity through consolidation rather than proliferation of separate control mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle system includes an axle arrangement operably coupling a wheel assembly with a frame. The frame defines a fore-aft axis and a transverse axis extending generally transverse to the fore-aft axis. The axle arrangement includes first and second axle elements adapted for operative connection between the frame and the wheel assembly for extension and retraction along the transverse axis. The first axle element can be operably coupled with the frame and the second axle element can be integrated with the wheel assembly. One or more sensors can be configured to generate vehicle dat. A computing system can be configured to receive an input related to an adjustment to the position of the second axle element relative to the fore-aft axis and generate an adjustment model based at least partially on the input and the vehicle data.