Steerable Conveyor Wheel Pivoting Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large agricultural conveyors are difficult to navigate during transport due to their size and the restriction of wheels from pivoting, with existing steering mechanisms not adaptable to conveyors supported on two pairs of wheels with a walking beam suspension.
Innovation Solution
A steerable conveyor system with a steering mechanism that allows all wheels to pivot relative to the conveyor frame, connected to a towing vehicle via a hitch connector, and controlled by a controller to steer the conveyor in synchronization with the vehicle, enabling navigation around obstacles and adjusting path width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the conveyor is supported on two pairs of wheels with walking beam suspension, then the conveyor can handle larger sizes and provide suspension, but the wheels are restricted from pivoting making navigation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the wheels steerable through a steering mechanism that allows each wheel to pivot about its upright axis. The steering mechanism includes a steering arm pivotally connected to the wheel hub and a steering actuator that rotates the steering arm about a longitudinal axis, enabling the wheels to change orientation dynamically during transport rather than being fixed in parallel orientation.
2Ease of operation
If a steering mechanism is added to allow wheel pivoting, then navigation becomes easier, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the steering function into separate controllable components for each wheel. Each wheel has its own steering mechanism with a steering arm and steering actuator, allowing independent control of each wheel's orientation. This segmented approach enables complex steering maneuvers while maintaining modular simplicity in each individual wheel assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering mechanism is designed to be universally applicable to both pairs of wheels on the conveyor. The same steering mechanism structure and control system can steer all wheels in coordination, providing multi-functionality that handles both steering and suspension functions within a unified system design.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the wheels are longitudinally spaced on opposing sides, then suspension is provided, but the conveyor becomes even more difficult to navigate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by making the longitudinally spaced wheels dynamically steerable. Each wheel on the walking beam can pivot independently about its upright axis through the steering mechanism, allowing the conveyor to navigate turns and obstacles while maintaining the beneficial suspension provided by the longitudinal spacing and walking beam structure.
Data Source
AI summary
The steerable conveyor includes a conveyor frame supported on a first pair of wheels and a second pair of wheels at laterally opposed first and second sides of the conveyor. The conveyor includes a hitch for connection to a towing vehicle such that the conveyor is pivotal relative to the towing vehicle about a vertical steering axis. A steering mechanism is arranged to pivot all of the steerable wheels relative to the conveyor frame about respective upright steering axes in a common direction of rotation such that the conveyor is arranged to be steered relative to the towing vehicle about the vertical steering axis by steering the conveyor wheels relative to the conveyor frame when the conveyor is towed by the towing vehicle.