Adjustable wheel track axle with independent wheel angle control for an agricultural vehicle

a technology of independent wheel angle control and agricultural vehicles, which is applied in the direction of steering linkages, tractors, transportation and packaging, etc., can solve the problems of limited productivity of fixed wheel track machines, laborious adjustments, and current variable wheel track designs that have limitations

Active Publication Date: 2022-03-22
RBR ENTERPRISE LLC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent is about a system and method for adjusting the wheel track axle and steering angle of an agricultural vehicle. The system includes variable wheel track axle assemblies connected to the vehicle's wheel sets, a track width control hydraulic cylinder, a hydraulic steering cylinder, a linear position sensor, and a computer system. The computer system uses inputs from the position sensor and a set point to adjust the track width and the steering angle of each wheel independently. The method includes adjusting the track width and wheel angle while the vehicle is moving, extending the wheel angle outwardly up to 3 degrees when the track is extending outwardly, and extending the wheel angle inwardly up to 3 degrees when the track is extending inwardly, as well as adjusting the wheel angle to zero when the track is stationary. The technical effect of this patent is a more efficient and precise mechanism for adjusting the wheel track axle and steering angle of an agricultural vehicle, allowing for improved control and performance during operation.

Problems solved by technology

The conditions explained limit the productivity of a fixed wheel track machine.
The wheel track can be changed on a fixed wheel track; however, adjustments are labor intensive as the wheel offset must change or wheel spacers added.
Current variable wheel track designs do have limitations.
This process requires a large area to operate the machine.
This adds stress to the axle and wheel components and potentially leads to premature failure, and it is difficult to find large areas to complete a wheel track adjustment without disturbing crops.
Also, this method of wheel track adjustment results in premature tire wear due to the uncharacteristic movement when pushing the tire away from the machine during extension or pulling the tire towards the machine when retracting.

Method used

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Embodiment Construction

[0018]The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and / or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and / or to the other particular value. Similarly, when valu...

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PUM

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Abstract

A system to simultaneously adjust a wheel track axle width and a steering angle of an agricultural vehicle made of: an at least two variable axle assemblies, each one of the variable axle assemblies connected to a wheel set of the agricultural vehicle is provided. During the wheel track axle adjustment process of a variable wheel track axle machine the angle of each wheel is “toed-in” or toed-our depending on wheel track extension or retraction. When the wheel track axle of the machine is being extended, all wheels are commanded to “toe-out” 3 degrees to aid in the extension and reduce external forces on the wheel and axle system. When the wheel track axle of the machine is being retracted, all wheels are commanded to “toe-out” 3 degrees to aid in the retraction and reduce external forces on the wheel and axle system. Once the wheel track axle adjustment is complete all wheels return to 0 degrees for normal operation.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 62 / 612,861 filed Jan. 2, 2018, hereby specifically incorporated by reference in its entirety.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]None.REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING”, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC AND AN INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF THE MATERIAL ON THE COMPACT DISC[0003]None.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0004]Agricultural machines, such as self-propelled sprayers and fertilizer spreaders, may have fixed wheel track axles or optional variable wheel track axles. In a fixed wheel track machine, the wheel track is determined by the overall width of the axle and the offset of the wheel. The axle is fixed and cannot extend or retract. In a variable wheel track machine, the wheel track can be adjusted to a finite wheel track limited by a minimum and maximum.[0005]Variable wheel track offers a substantial advantag...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Patents(United States)
IPC IPC(8): B62D6/00B60B35/10B60B35/00B62D5/18
CPCB62D6/002B60B35/003B60B35/1054B62D5/18B60B35/16B60B35/14B60Y2200/22B62D49/0678B62D9/00
Inventor EATON, JASONGAINES, HARRY GLEN
Owner RBR ENTERPRISE LLC
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