Segmented Tractor Wheel Housing Cover for Dirt Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tractors experience significant accumulation of dirt and soil in the wheel housing region of the rear axle due to operational activities and weather conditions, necessitating frequent cleaning operations.

Innovation Solution

A cover is designed to effectively cover the gap in the wheel housing, preventing the entry of dirt and debris, which is releasably fastened to the tractor and composed of multiple parts for flexible adaptation and easy maintenance, featuring resilient materials and a mechanical coupling system to ensure secure positioning and movement limitation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the wheel housing gap is left open for accessibility, then functional parts are easily accessible for maintenance, but dirt and soil accumulate significantly requiring frequent cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAccessibility of functional partsVSAvoidDirt accumulation in wheel housing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is divided into multiple separate cover parts (first cover part, second cover part, third cover part) that can be individually installed and removed. This segmentation allows the cover to be easily assembled and disassembled for maintenance access while still providing effective protection when closed, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and dirt protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a cover is installed to prevent dirt accumulation, then cleaning operations are reduced, but the complexity of the wheel housing structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDirt accumulation in wheel housingVSAvoidWheel housing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover parts are designed to be movable and removable rather than fixed, allowing the structure to transition between open and closed states. This dynamic design enables easy access for maintenance while providing protection during operation, reducing the need for complex permanent sealing structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of repair

If the cover is made from resilient material for easy maintenance, then repair operations are simplified, but the mechanical strength may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveMaintenance of coverVSAvoidMechanical strength of cover

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Different cover parts are made from different materials suited to their specific functional requirements. The first and second cover parts contact the wheel and are made from resilient materials for flexibility and ease of repair, while the third cover part is made from rigid material providing structural support and mechanical strength, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of repair and mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11787479B2Tractor with wheel housing

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 DEERE & CO

AI summary

A tractor includes a supporting structure, a cab coupled to the supporting structure, and a rear axle oriented in a transverse direction and being mounted to the supporting structure. A first portion of the tractor on a cab side and a second portion of the tractor on a supporting structure side proximate to the rear axle delimits a wheel housing for a rear wheel. The wheel housing includes a gap at least partially covered by a cover at least in the transverse direction.