Steerable Agricultural Implement Adaptable Wheel Spacing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional steerable agricultural implements require additional structural linkages to resist lateral loads, which increase weight, construction costs, and limit wheel spacing and rotation angles, restricting adaptability to different row spacings.

Innovation Solution

A steerable agricultural implement with a main pivot joint and actuator assembly that resists lateral loads, allowing wheel assemblies to be positioned closer together without intermediate structural elements, enabling adaptable wheel spacing and reduced weight and construction costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If additional structural linkages are added to resist lateral loads, then lateral stability is improved, but implement weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelateral stabilityVSAvoidimplement weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the intermediate structural linkages from the system between the wheel assemblies, eliminating the source of excessive weight while maintaining lateral stability through the main pivot joint connection between the carrier frame and hitch assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Stability of the object's composition

If additional structural linkages are added to resist lateral loads, then lateral stability is improved, but construction costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelateral stabilityVSAvoidconstruction costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for additional structural linkages by utilizing the main pivot joint to resist lateral loads, thereby reducing the number of components required and lowering construction costs while maintaining lateral stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Stability of the object's composition

If structural elements are positioned between wheel assemblies, then lateral stability is improved, but wheel spacing adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelateral stabilityVSAvoidwheel spacing adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes intermediate structural elements between the wheel assemblies, allowing the wheel assemblies to be positioned closer together and enabling adaptable wheel spacing for different row configurations while maintaining lateral stability through the main pivot joint

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables dynamic adjustment of wheel spacing by eliminating fixed intermediate structural elements, allowing the wheel assemblies to be repositioned for different row spacings while the main pivot joint dynamically resists lateral loads

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If wheel assemblies are positioned closer together, then row spacing versatility is improved, but lateral stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverow spacing versatilityVSAvoidlateral stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the lateral load resistance function into the main pivot joint that connects the carrier frame to the hitch assembly, eliminating the need for separate intermediate linkages and enabling closer wheel spacing while maintaining lateral stability through this centralized connection point

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This configuration allows for a wider range of row spacings, reduced implement weight, and lower construction costs, facilitating easy reconfiguration for various crops by eliminating the need for secondary linkages and enabling wider wheels to support heavier implements.

Implementation Method 1

a main pivot joint configured to resist substantially all lateral loads between the carrier frame and the hitch assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

an actuator assembly configured to rotate each wheel assembly about the respective knuckle pivot joint

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS9072214B2Steerable agricultural implement with adaptable wheel spacing

Publication Date: 2015.07.07 BLUE LEAF I P INC

AI summary

An agricultural implement is provided that includes a hitch assembly configured to couple the agricultural implement to a tow vehicle. The agricultural implement also includes a carrier frame pivotally coupled to the hitch assembly by a main pivot joint such that the main pivot joint resists substantially all lateral loads between the carrier frame and the hitch assembly. The agricultural implement further includes a pair of wheel assemblies each rotatably coupled to the carrier frame by a respective knuckle pivot joint, and an actuator assembly configured to rotate each wheel assembly about the respective knuckle pivot joint while the agricultural implement is in both a working and transport position.