Hydraulic Actuator Enclosure for Agricultural Row Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural tools and their components, such as hydraulic actuators, are exposed to environmental contaminants and varying soil forces, leading to unsafe working conditions, reduced component strength, increased wear, and shortened lifespan due to exposure to dust, dirt, and terrain-induced forces.
Innovation Solution
A floating support linkage system with a structural support housing that encloses a hydraulic actuator and an accumulator, allowing the agricultural tool to adjust vertically in response to terrain changes, protecting components from environmental exposure and enhancing operational safety and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If hydraulic actuators and components are mounted exposed to the environment, then ease of access for maintenance is improved, but component life and reliability deteriorate due to exposure to dust, dirt, and environmental contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic actuator and its components (hoses, glands, seals) are nested within the structural housing, which encloses them to protect from environmental contaminants while maintaining a compact integrated structure that allows for maintenance access
2Ease of operation
If support linkages are designed to be lightweight, then ease of operation is improved, but strength against soil-imparted forces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support linkage and structural housing are merged into a single integrated component that provides both the necessary structural strength to withstand soil forces and the operational flexibility for tool adjustment and movement
3Adaptability or versatility
If hydraulic components are exposed to varying soil forces, then adaptability to terrain changes is improved, but wear and component life deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the hydraulic actuator from the external environment by enclosing it in the structural housing, allowing the tool to respond to terrain changes through controlled hydraulic movement while protecting components from direct exposure to soil forces and contaminants
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
The system effectively shields components from environmental contaminants, enhances strength against soil forces, and extends the life of hydraulic components by allowing the tool to float over changing soil conditions, ensuring safe operation and reduced wear.
Implementation Method 1
The hydraulic actuator includes a ram extending into a hydraulic-fluid cavity within a hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic-fluid cavity receives pressurized hydraulic fluid for advancing the hydraulic cylinder in a first direction that pivots the swing arm downwardly toward the soil surface
Implementation Method 2
An energy storage device is positioned adjacent to the hydraulic actuator within the structural support housing, the energy storage device urging the hydraulic cylinder in a second direction that pivots the swing arm upward away from the soil surface
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural row unit having a support frame, a structural support housing coupled to the support frame, and a swing arm having a leading end pivotably coupled to the structural support housing. An agricultural tool is coupled to a trailing end of the swing arm, and a hydraulic actuator is mounted to and fully enclosed within the structural support housing. The hydraulic actuator adjustably urges the agricultural tool downwardly toward a soil surface such that vertical pivoting movement is permitted in response to terrain changes in the soil surface.