Square-Wheel Soil Probe for Low-Cost Rolling Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing soil sampling devices are often expensive, difficult to use, and costly to maintain, with most being unsuitable for efficient and economical soil sampling.
Innovation Solution
A rolling soil probe with a square wheel and soil probes on each side, mounted on a tractor, truck, or trailer, which allows for efficient soil sampling by rolling over the ground and collecting samples in a hollow tip that drops into a collection container, with the ability to pivot and move in a circular fashion without external downward pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional soil sampling devices are used, then soil samples can be obtained, but the devices are expensive, difficult to use, and costly to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into four independent soil probes attached to the sides of a square wheel, allowing simple manufacturing of individual components that can be assembled into a complete sampling system. Each probe is a separate hollow tube that can be independently replaced or maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a traditional complex mechanical sampling device, the invention inverts the approach by using a simple square wheel structure with basic hollow probes, eliminating the need for expensive mechanisms while maintaining sampling effectiveness through the unique rolling action.
2Productivity
If a square wheel with four soil probes is used, then sampling efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The square wheel structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the framework for mounting four probes, enables efficient sampling through rolling motion, and allows the device to be pulled in circular patterns for systematic sampling. This multi-functionality increases productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a square wheel (a curved/rotating structure) that rolls over the ground, transforming the sampling action into a continuous rolling motion that efficiently engages multiple probes with the soil, improving productivity through motion-based sampling rather than static positioning.
3Ease of operation
If the rolling soil probe is free floating without downward pressure, then ease of operation is improved, but penetration force into the ground is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rolling motion of the square wheel creates dynamic impact forces as each probe engages with the ground, generating sufficient penetration force without requiring continuous downward pressure. The repeated rolling action produces impulsive forces that effectively drive the probes into the soil while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses periodic rolling motion where each of the four probes sequentially contacts the ground in a repeating cycle. This periodic engagement provides continuous sampling action with adequate penetration force generated through the rhythmic rolling and impact, eliminating the need for constant downward pressure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The rolling soil probe provides an economical, durable, and efficient means of obtaining soil samples with a square wheel design that allows for effective penetration and collection, reducing maintenance costs and improving sampling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the lowermost soil probe punches into the ground at a right angle to the ground so that a soil sample is received within the soil probe
Implementation Method 2
the soil sample within the soil probe, drops downwardly from the inner end of the soil probe into a soil sample collection container
Data Source
AI summary
A rolling soil probe which may be pulled by a tractor or a truck or mounted on a trailer. The rolling soil probe includes a rotatable square wheel having four sides, each of which has a soil probe extending outwardly therefrom.