Agricultural Suspension Travel Limiter for On-Road Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural vehicle suspension systems face challenges in providing optimal stability and comfort during on-road driving, as existing mechanisms do not effectively limit axial travel to enhance stability and comfort during turning events.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable stop body, such as a cylinder, is coupled with a spindle to limit the axial length of suspension travel, which can be actuated manually or automatically, and is selectively engageable for on-road travel to reduce suspension travel and improve stability and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If suspension travel is increased to improve operator comfort on uneven terrain, then operator comfort is improved, but vehicle stability during on-road turning events deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stop body is made adjustable between multiple positions (first position allowing full travel, second position limiting travel) rather than being fixed. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to different operating conditions - full suspension travel for field operations and limited travel for on-road turning - thereby resolving the contradiction between comfort and stability requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of suspension travel distance by adjusting the stop body position. When the stop body is positioned at the second position, it limits the axial length of travel during turning events, directly modifying the suspension behavior to improve vehicle stability while maintaining operator comfort through the adjustable nature of the system
2Stability of the object's composition
If suspension travel is limited to improve vehicle stability during turning, then vehicle stability is improved, but operator comfort on uneven terrain deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable stop body allows dynamic selection between full suspension travel (for comfort on uneven terrain) and limited suspension travel (for stability during turning). The operator can switch between these states based on the current operating condition, ensuring optimal performance for both scenarios without permanent compromise
Solution Approach 2:
The stop body mechanism serves multiple functions: it acts as a full travel allowance during field operations and as a travel limiter during on-road turning. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making a single component capable of addressing both opposing requirements under different operating conditions
3Device complexity
If a fixed suspension system is used to simplify the mechanism, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different driving conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stop body is designed with adjustability between discrete positions rather than being completely fixed or continuously variable. This provides adaptability to different driving conditions (field vs. road) while maintaining relatively simple mechanical construction, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability
Data Source
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AI summary
An agricultural vehicle suspension (100) is disclosed. The suspension (100) comprising: a spring (140); a first spindle (202) operably coupled with the spring (140) in a spindle axial direction; an adjustable stop body (200) operably coupled to the first spindle (202) in a stop body axial direction, the adjustable stop body (200) configured to limit an axial length of travel of the suspension relative to the first spindle (202).