Steerable Wheel Assembly for Agricultural Implement Maneuverability

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional three-point planters with large bulk seed hoppers and multiple row units suffer from decreased maneuverability and increased soil disturbance during tight turns, especially in fields with limited turnaround areas and soft soil conditions, due to the weight and design of the caster wheels.

Innovation Solution

A steerable agricultural implement equipped with a multi-point hitch system and a control system that receives positional attributes from a tractor's steering system, utilizing a steerable wheel assembly with a steering actuator, adjustable abutment stops, and a quick release free-wheel mechanism to prevent unwanted divots or gouges by allowing independent pivoting of the wheels during forward and reverse travel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a large bulk seed hopper and multiple row units are added to increase planting capacity, then the seed delivery capability is improved, but the maneuverability deteriorates and weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseed delivery capacityVSAvoidmaneuverability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The implement is divided into multiple independent row units that can be selectively engaged or disengaged. This segmentation allows the operator to reduce the number of active row units when maneuvering in tight spaces, improving ease of operation while maintaining the capability for high-capacity seed delivery when all units are engaged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If caster wheels are used to support the bulk seed hopper, then the implement structure is simplified, but soil disturbance increases during tight turns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplement structureVSAvoidsoil disturbance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel assembly incorporates a steerable wheel that can pivot independently of the implement frame, controlled by a steering actuator. This dynamic capability allows the wheels to pivot during tight turns instead of spinning, significantly reducing soil disturbance while maintaining structural efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a control system that receives positional attribute data from the tractor's steering system and automatically adjusts the wheel assembly's pivot angle accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the wheels pivot appropriately during maneuvers, preventing soil gouging without requiring complex mechanical linkages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Stability of the object's composition

If the wheel assembly is made heavy to improve stability, then the implement remains stable during operation, but maneuverability in soft soil conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational stabilityVSAvoidmaneuverability in soft soil

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel assembly incorporates a steerable wheel that can pivot independently of the implement frame, controlled by a steering actuator. This dynamic capability allows the wheels to pivot during tight turns instead of spinning, significantly reducing soil disturbance while maintaining structural efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a control system that receives positional attribute data from the tractor's steering system and automatically adjusts the wheel assembly's pivot angle accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the wheels pivot appropriately during maneuvers, preventing soil gouging without requiring complex mechanical linkages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8700269B2Steerable agricultural implement with multi-point hitch

Publication Date: 2014.04.15 GREAT PLAINS MANUFACTURING INC

AI summary

A steerable agricultural implement configured to be coupled to a tractor by a multi-point hitch system that restrains side-to-side articulation between the tractor and the implement. The agricultural implement includes a steering controller that receives a positional attribute from a steering system of the tractor and controls a degree of pivot of a wheel assembly of the agricultural implement based on the positional attribute of the tractor steering system. The wheel assembly is configured with a steering actuator that is operable to pivot a portion of the wheel assembly without transmitting force beyond the wheel assembly, abutment stops to define maximum degrees of pivot of the portion of the wheel assembly and relieve the steering actuator without transmitting force beyond the wheel assembly, and a quick release free-wheel mechanism to enable a disconnected or “free wheel” operation of the wheel assembly independent of the steering actuator.