Wheel Track Adjustment Mechanism for In-Motion Width Change

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicles lack the ability to adjust track width, which is essential for navigating paths of varying widths, particularly in agricultural fields, and existing solutions often require manual adjustment or halt the vehicle during width changes, limiting maneuverability and space utilization.

Innovation Solution

A Track Width Adjustment (TWA) mechanism incorporating a steer and drive unit with bevel gears, links, and a sliding unit, allowing motorized wheels to adjust track width by rotating inward or outward through a gear train and lead screw mechanism, enabling continuous movement and adaptable wheel positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual track width adjustment is used, then the vehicle can adapt to different path widths, but the vehicle must halt during width changes, limiting productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrack width adaptabilityVSAvoidvehicle productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic track width adjustment system where the wheel bracket can rotate about the axis of the second bevel gear to change the motorized wheel's position. This dynamic mechanism allows continuous adjustment of track width while the vehicle is in motion, eliminating the need to halt for width changes and thereby maintaining productivity while adapting to different path widths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If fixed single track width is used, then the vehicle structure is simple, but the vehicle cannot navigate paths of varying widths, reducing versatility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle structure complexityVSAvoidpath width adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the wheel assembly into separable components: a motorized wheel, a wheel bracket, and a link mechanism. The wheel bracket can rotate independently about the axis of the second bevel gear, allowing the motorized wheel to move inward or outward. This segmentation enables track width adjustment while maintaining a relatively simple overall vehicle structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If narrow wheel track is used, then the vehicle fits in tighter spaces, but vehicle stability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaneuverability in tight spacesVSAvoidvehicle stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic track width adjustment system where the wheel bracket can rotate about the axis of the second bevel gear to change the motorized wheel's position. This dynamic mechanism allows continuous adjustment of track width while the vehicle is in motion, eliminating the need to halt for width changes and thereby maintaining productivity while adapting to different path widths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Stability of the object's composition

If wide wheel track is used, then vehicle stability is improved, but the vehicle cannot navigate narrow tracks, reducing versatility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle stabilityVSAvoidtrack width adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic track width adjustment system where the wheel bracket can rotate about the axis of the second bevel gear to change the motorized wheel's position. This dynamic mechanism allows continuous adjustment of track width while the vehicle is in motion, eliminating the need to halt for width changes and thereby maintaining productivity while adapting to different path widths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables vehicles to seamlessly adjust track width while in motion, improving maneuverability and space utilization by allowing wheels to adjust width without halting, facilitating navigation through varying path widths.

Implementation Method 1

a bevel gear housing configured to accommodate a first bevel gear and a second bevel gear which provide connection between two shafts which lie at a pre-defined angle to each other for transmission of motion and force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGear mechanism: Gear

Implementation Method 2

a lead screw configured to rotate on an associated axis, wherein rotation of the lead screw causes (i) the sliding plate to move in a first direction and a second direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLead screw mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentUS12005737B2Changeable wheel track mechanism for track width adjustment

Publication Date: 2024.06.11 TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES LTD

AI summary

State of the art track width adjustment mechanism fail to support track width adjustment while vehicle is in motion. They also require manual intervention, which causes inconvenience. The disclosure herein generally relates to wheel track adjustment, and, more particularly, to a changeable wheel track mechanism for track width adjustment (referred to as TWA mechanism). The TWA mechanism includes a steer and drive unit, a plurality of links, and a sliding unit. The TWA mechanism allows movement of a wheel in inward and outward directions, causing the track width adjustment. The track width is achieved by changing the wheel position to be at a wider position, or a narrower position, or any intermediate position. The TWA mechanism may be associated with any vehicle for which the track width adjustment is to be achieved.