US 11,895,936 B2Granted

Vehicle for cultivation and transportation

AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology

InventorsGuillermo Fabian Diaz Lankenau, Amos Greene Winter, V

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Abstract

Vehicles having the versatility to be used as farm vehicles while also being able to be used as a transportation method, such as a motorcycle, are provided. The vehicles can generally include a three-wheel configuration in which first and second drive wheels are substantially vertically aligned, and the third wheel is offset from the vertically aligned drive wheels. The third wheel can be aligned with the second wheel, or it can be disposed at a location that is between the first and second wheels while still being offset from the vertical alignment. A tool for performing farming actions is also provided. In some instances the tool can be laterally offset from the vertically aligned wheels, located between the drive wheels, while in other instances the tool can be disposed distal of the rear wheel. Many vehicle and tool configurations are disclosed, as are methods for operating the same.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A vehicle, comprising:

a chassis having a length defined by a front-most end and a back-most end;
a first wheel disposed below the chassis;
a second wheel disposed behind the first wheel, the first wheel and the second wheel being vertically aligned along a longitudinal axis extending the length of the chassis;
a third wheel disposed behind the first wheel, the third wheel being disposed offset from the longitudinal axis extending the length of the chassis;
an outrigger arm disposed between and coupled to the third wheel and at least one of the chassis and the second wheel;
a tool disposed behind the first wheel and in front of the second wheel, the tool being disposed offset from the longitudinal axis extending the length of the chassis and configured to be driven downwards by at least one of a direct supply of an active force or an indirect supply of an active force, into ground over which the vehicle is traveling, such that the tool applies force to, and enters into, the ground;
and
a motor disposed behind the first wheel and configured to drive at least one of the first wheel and the second wheel.

5 more elements

A vehicle, comprising:

a chassis having a length defined by a front-most end and a back-most end;
a first wheel disposed below the chassis;
a second wheel disposed behind the first wheel, the first wheel and the second wheel being vertically aligned along a longitudinal axis extending the length of the chassis;
a third wheel disposed behind the first wheel, the third wheel being disposed offset from the longitudinal axis extending the length of the chassis;
an outrigger arm disposed between and coupled to the third wheel and at least one of the chassis and the second wheel;
a cultivation tool disposed behind the first wheel and in front of the second wheel, the tool being disposed offset from the longitudinal axis extending the length of the chassis, at a location closer to the longitudinal axis than the third wheel is located with respect to the longitudinal axis, the cultivation tool being disposed offset from the longitudinal axis extending the length of the chassis and movable laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis such that a distance between the cultivation tool and the chassis is adjustable while the vehicle and the cultivation tool are being operated;
and
a motor disposed behind the first wheel and configured to power at least one of the first wheel and the second wheel.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/605,822Filed 27 Apr 2020 · us provisional application
Priority: 25 Apr 2019
Published: US 2022/0225555 A121 Jul 2022
Granted: 13 Feb 2024
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification17 codes

A01B 51/026
Propelled by a motor: of the automotive vehicle type, e.g. including driver accommodation
A01B 3/38
Ploughs mounted on tractors: without alternating possibility
A01B 63/04
For implements mounted on tractors: hand devices; Hand devices with mechanical accumulators, e.g. springs
A01B 63/104
Characterised by the location of the mounting on the tractor, e.g. on the rear part: on the middle part, i.e. between front and rear wheels