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 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 field disturbance worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The track assembly is divided into multiple independently controllable sections that can pivot about different axes (steering axis, pitch axis, camber axis). This segmentation allows each section to independently adapt to terrain variations, distributing the vehicle's weight more evenly across the field surface and reducing soil compaction while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The track assembly incorporates dynamic movement capabilities through electrical actuators that enable real-time adjustment of pitch and camber angles. This dynamic adaptation allows the track to continuously optimize its contact with uneven terrain, improving load distribution and reducing harmful soil compaction effects while maintaining productivity.
2Productivity
If work vehicles of increased size are used to increase productivity, then productivity is improved, but maneuverability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The track assembly uses electrical actuators to dynamically adjust pitch and camber angles in real-time, enabling large work vehicles to maneuver effectively on uneven terrain. This dynamic control system allows the vehicle to adapt its track configuration for both productivity and maneuverability requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes geometric parameters (pitch angle, camber angle) of the track assembly to optimize vehicle performance. By adjusting these parameters, the vehicle achieves improved maneuverability on varied terrain while maintaining the productivity benefits of increased size.
3Productivity
If work vehicles of increased size are used to increase productivity, then productivity is improved, but ability to operate on uneven terrain worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The track assembly is segmented into multiple independently controllable sections that can pivot about steering, pitch, and camber axes. This segmentation enables each section to independently adapt to local terrain variations, allowing large productivity-enhancing vehicles to operate effectively on uneven terrain.
Solution Approach 2:
The track assembly adds dimensional complexity by enabling movement about three axes (steering, pitch, and camber) rather than a single axis. This multi-dimensional movement capability allows the vehicle to conform to complex uneven terrain surfaces while maintaining the productivity benefits of increased vehicle size.
Data Source
AI summary
A work vehicle includes left and right track assemblies, each track assembly having a main frame, a pivot member, a pivot shaft coupled to the pivot member, and an electrical actuator coupled between the pivot shaft and the main frame. The work vehicle also includes a control system having a controller communicatively coupled to each electrical actuator of the track assemblies. The controller includes processors that control the electrical actuator to steer the work vehicle about a generally vertical steering axis. Each pivot member is mounted to the main frame of the track assemblies. Each track assembly is pivotal about a generally horizontal pitch axis of the pivot shaft to permit pitch movement of the track assembly. Each track assembly is pivotal about a generally horizontal camber axis through a portion of the pivot member to permit camber movement of the track assembly.