Wing Caster Wheel Assembly for Agricultural Implement Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural implements with rear folding wing sections face challenges in efficiently supporting and transporting heavy loads, as the wing operating wheels are raised during transport, and the wing transport wheels may not adequately support the frame sections, leading to inefficient movement and potential ground contact issues.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of caster wheel assemblies that pivot about both caster and transport axes, allowing the caster wheels to support the wing frame sections during both operating and transport positions, with primary and secondary actuators controlling the pivot positions to align with the hitch pivot axis for efficient towing and ground contact, enabling dual wheel support for heavy implements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If wing transport wheels are used to support the frame sections during transport, then the implement can be moved, but the wheels may not adequately support heavy loads and cause ground contact issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamically adjustable wheel assembly that can change its orientation and position. The wheel assembly includes a wheel, an arm connecting it to the frame, and actuators that can pivot the wheel relative to the frame. This dynamic adjustment allows the wheel to optimally support heavy loads during transport while maintaining stable ground contact, resolving the contradiction between load support capability and ground contact stability.
2Ease of operation
If wing operating wheels are raised during transport, then the wings can be positioned for transport, but the frame sections lack adequate support
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamically adjustable wheel assembly allows the wheel to be positioned and oriented optimally for both transport positioning and load support. The actuators can adjust the wheel's angle and position relative to the frame, enabling the wheel to bear the frame's weight while maintaining the correct transport position, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of transport positioning and frame support capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel assembly serves multiple functions: it supports the frame during transport, maintains proper positioning, and can adjust to accommodate varying load conditions. This multi-functionality allows a single mechanism to handle both positioning and support requirements, eliminating the need for separate systems and resolving the contradiction between transport positioning ease and frame support capability.
3Reliability
If caster wheel assemblies pivot about both caster and transport axes, then support is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dual-axis pivot mechanism allows the wheel assembly to dynamically adapt to different operational requirements. The first axis (caster axis) enables lateral movement for steering, while the second axis (transport axis) allows adjustment of the wheel's angle relative to the frame. This dynamic capability provides superior support stability by accommodating various transport conditions, justifying the increased mechanism complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel assembly is segmented into multiple independently controllable components: the wheel itself, the arm connecting it to the frame, and separate actuation systems for each pivot axis. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, providing enhanced support stability while making the complex mechanism more manageable and maintainable.
4Productivity
If actuators control pivot positions to align with hitch pivot axis, then towing efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the position of the wheel assembly and adjust it to maintain optimal alignment with the hitch pivot axis during towing. This feedback control ensures that the wheel assembly automatically compensates for disturbances and maintains the alignment that maximizes towing efficiency, justifying the added complexity of the actuation system.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuated wheel assembly can dynamically adjust its position and orientation in response to changing towing conditions. The actuators pivot the wheel assembly to maintain optimal alignment with the hitch pivot axis, ensuring efficient towing performance across varying loads and terrain conditions, thereby resolving the contradiction between towing efficiency and actuation system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural implement has a hitch frame, a center frame pivotally attached rearward of the hitch frame about a hitch pivot axis. Wing frames are pivotally attached to ends of the center frame and a center actuator is pivots the center and wing frames from a rearward extending operating position to an upward extending transport position. Caster wheels are pivotally mounted on front sides of the wing frames about caster and transport axes. In the operating position, the caster axes are oriented vertically and the transport axes are oriented horizontally, and in the initial transport position, the caster axes are oriented horizontally, perpendicular to the hitch pivot, the transport axes are oriented vertically, and caster wheel actuators pivot the caster wheels 90 degrees about the transport axes to align the caster axes with the hitch pivot axis. The caster wheels support the wing frames in both operating and transport positions.