Steerable Track Assembly Pivoting Three Axes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large work vehicles used for agricultural operations face challenges in maneuverability and soil compaction due to increased size and weight, which can reduce productivity and damage planted fields.
Innovation Solution
A steerable track assembly that pivots about three axes - a vertical steering axis, a horizontal pitch axis, and a horizontal camber axis - allowing for increased maneuverability and reduced soil compaction by distributing the load more evenly and increasing surface contact with the terrain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If work vehicles of increased size are used to increase productivity, then productivity is improved, but soil compaction and disturbance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The track assembly is segmented into multiple independently controllable sections, each capable of pivoting about vertical, horizontal pitch, and horizontal camber axes. This segmentation allows the heavy vehicle to distribute its weight across multiple contact points that can independently adapt to terrain variations, reducing soil compaction while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The track assembly adds rotational freedom in multiple dimensions by enabling pivoting about vertical steering axes, horizontal pitch axes, and horizontal camber axes. This multi-dimensional movement capability allows the track to conform to uneven terrain and distribute load more effectively, reducing soil disturbance while supporting heavy vehicle weight
2Productivity
If work vehicles of increased size are used to increase productivity, then productivity is improved, but maneuverability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The track assembly is divided into segmented sections with independent pivot capabilities about vertical, horizontal pitch, and horizontal camber axes. This segmentation enables large vehicles to maneuver tightly and adapt to uneven terrain, improving ease of operation while maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The track assembly transitions from a static, rigid structure to a dynamic, adaptable system capable of real-time pivoting and reconfiguration. The ability to pivot about multiple axes allows the track to dynamically respond to terrain changes and steering inputs, significantly improving maneuverability of large vehicles
3Productivity
If work vehicles operate on uneven terrain, then productivity is improved, but soil disturbance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The track assembly incorporates pivoting capability about vertical, horizontal pitch, and horizontal camber axes, enabling it to conform to uneven terrain in multiple dimensions. This multi-dimensional adaptation allows the vehicle to maintain productivity on rough ground while distributing load to minimize soil disturbance
Data Source
AI summary
A work vehicle includes left and right track assemblies, each track assembly including a main frame, a pivot member, a pivot shaft coupled to the pivot member, and an actuator coupled between the pivot shaft and the main frame. Each pivot member is mounted to a respective main frame to permit pivotal steering movement about a generally vertical steering axis for steering the track assemblies under the influence of the actuator. Additionally, each track assembly is pivotal about a generally horizontal pitch axis of the respective pivot shaft to permit pitch movement of the respective track assembly. Each track assembly is also pivotal about a generally horizontal camber axis through a portion of the respective pivot member to permit camber movement of the respective track assembly.