Steerable Axle Agricultural Implement Maneuverability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large agricultural implements with multiple axles become cumbersome and difficult to maneuver due to their increased length and weight distribution, leading to wider turning radii and reduced agility, especially in confined spaces.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural implement design featuring a drawbar with articulated front and rear frame sections and swivel axles, linking arms, and strategically positioned containers to distribute weight and control wheel movement, allowing the implement to follow a traction vehicle's path more closely and maintain stability during turns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the agricultural implement is made longer to carry larger quantities of seeds and manure, then the volume of material that can be carried increases, but the machine becomes cumbersome and difficult to maneuver with wider turning radii
Solution Approach 1:
The agricultural implement is divided into multiple independent modules: a front module with first wheels and first linking arms, a middle module with second wheels and second linking arms, and a rear module with a container. Each module can rotate independently around vertical axles, allowing the long implement to navigate tight spaces by segmenting the turning motion across multiple joints rather than requiring a single large turning radius.
Solution Approach 2:
The implement employs dynamic articulation through multiple rotatable connections between modules, allowing the structure to adapt its configuration during movement. The linking arms can adjust angles and the modules can rotate relative to each other, enabling the long implement to dynamically reconfigure itself for maneuvering in confined spaces while maintaining stability during operation.
2Weight of moving object
If multiple wheel axles are added to distribute weight, then the weight distribution improves, but the machine becomes more complex and harder to turn in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-axle structure is segmented into modular units where each module (front, middle, rear) has its own wheel axle and linking mechanism. This segmentation allows each axle to be controlled independently through its own linking arms and vertical rotation axles, simplifying the control complexity compared to a rigid multi-axle system while maintaining proper weight distribution across multiple contact points.
3Ease of operation
If the front wheels turn with the same radius as the traction vehicle, then the implement follows the vehicle path, but the implement cannot cut corners effectively to avoid obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The linking arms are designed with dynamic adjustment capabilities that allow the front module to independently control the turning radius of the first wheels relative to the second wheels. This dynamic control enables the implement to cut corners by having the front module turn at a different radius than the rear module, providing adaptability to avoid obstacles while maintaining the ability to follow the traction vehicle's path when needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
Agricultural implement (1) for cultivation comprising a drawbar (2) for coupling the agricultural implement (1) to a traction vehicle (50) by means of a pull coupling (3), a front frame section (4) at the separate lateral end sections of which front wheels (5) are arranged via respective swivel axles (6), wherein the drawbar (2) is moved relative to the front frame section (4) around at least one vertical axle (7). The agricultural implement (1 ) also comprises linking arms (8, 9) which connect the swivel axles (6) to the drawbar (2) so that the front wheel (5) turns when the drawbar (2) is turned relative to the front frame section (4), and at least one first container (10) for dispensable material, the centre of gravity of which at least on maximum loading is between the front frame section (4) and the pull coupling (3) and said container(10) being fixed in relation to the drawbar (2).