Active Boom Center Frame Positioning for Uniform Spray Height
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural sprayer booms face performance issues due to mechanical suspension systems that struggle to balance opposing design goals of small spring return and high damping for dynamic field conditions, leading to inconsistent boom height and material distribution.
Innovation Solution
A center frame positioning system using controllable, variable pressure actuators and sensors to dynamically adjust the force exerted on the suspended center frame, allowing real-time adjustments to maintain optimal boom height and uniform material application across varying field conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanical suspension system with spring return and dampening is used to decouple the boom from the chassis, then the sprayer can handle dynamic field conditions, but the boom height control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical spring-damper suspension system with an active electromagnetic actuator system. The actuator uses electromagnetic force generation to provide both the decoupling function for handling dynamic conditions and the precise height control, eliminating the trade-off between mechanical compliance and control precision. The controller dynamically adjusts electromagnetic force based on feedback from position sensors and information from the height control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary active actuator system between the chassis and the boom center frame. This intermediary component provides controlled force to maintain boom height precision while allowing the boom to respond to field conditions, acting as a smart mediator that reconciles the conflicting requirements of mechanical compliance and positional accuracy.
2Stability of the object's composition
If high damping and spring force are applied to stiffen and center the boom suspension during dynamic cylinder movements, then the boom stability improves, but the ability to respond to dynamic field conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic suspension system where the actuator force characteristics are continuously adjusted based on real-time operating conditions. The controller modulates the electromagnetic force dynamically, providing high damping when needed for stability during boom cylinder movements and reducing damping when adaptability to field conditions is required, thus resolving the contradiction through time-varying control parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the suspension system dynamically by varying the electromagnetic force output of the actuator. Instead of using fixed mechanical spring and damper parameters, the system electronically adjusts the equivalent stiffness and damping parameters through controlled electromagnetic force, allowing optimization of both stability and adaptability at different operating moments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the center frame is suspended to allow pendulum style rotational movement, then the boom can adapt to terrain variations, but the uniformity of material distribution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where sensors continuously monitor the actual boom height and center frame position, and this information is fed back to the controller. The controller compares the measured position with the desired position and adjusts the actuator force accordingly, ensuring that the boom maintains precise height and uniform material distribution even while the center frame is suspended and capable of movement to adapt to terrain variations.
Data Source
AI summary
One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a center frame positioning method for an agricultural sprayer. The method comprises activating a center frame positioning system and collecting and processing position data related to a position of a suspended center frame in the center frame positioning system. The method further comprises evaluating the position data to determine whether any adjustment to the position of the suspended center frame is needed and controlling actuator force in at least one actuator to adjust the position of the suspended center frame based on the evaluating the position data.