Agricultural Boom Elastomeric Bonding for Resonance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Long agricultural application booms experience resonance deflection due to energy release from structural flex, which affects automated height control and suspension system performance, as current joint designs are rigid and do not effectively dissipate energy.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating elastomeric bonding material in connection points of the application boom, particularly in shear-loaded joints, to introduce damping and hysteresis, using a carbon fiber longitudinal tube coupled with aluminum extrusions and elastomeric sheets to absorb energy and reduce resonance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid joint designs (welded, bolted, or bonded) are used in application boom construction, then structural strength and load transfer are improved, but resonance deflection and energy release worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the joint by replacing rigid connections with elastomeric bonded joints. This material parameter change introduces damping characteristics that dissipate vibrational energy, reducing resonance deflection while maintaining sufficient structural strength for load transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite joint construction by bonding elastomeric material to carbon fiber boom segments. This creates a composite joint system that combines the high strength of carbon fiber with the damping properties of elastomeric material, simultaneously achieving structural integrity and resonance reduction.
2Loss of energy
If elastomeric bonding material is used in connection points, then energy dissipation and resonance reduction are improved, but joint rigidity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies elastomeric bonding material specifically at connection points and joints where energy dissipation is most beneficial, rather than throughout the entire boom structure. This localized application maintains joint rigidity where needed while introducing damping only at critical resonance points.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric material changes the dynamic parameters of the joint by introducing viscoelastic damping characteristics. This allows the joint to maintain sufficient static rigidity for load bearing while providing energy dissipation during dynamic vibration cycles through hysteresis losses.
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 solution effectively dissipates energy accumulated during boom flexing, reducing resonance-induced stress and strain, thereby improving the stability and performance of the boom's height control and suspension system.
Implementation Method 1
The material creates hysteresis in some of the joints
Implementation Method 2
material for introducing a damping effect is used in one or more connection points of the application boom
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural vehicle includes a chassis, wheels supporting the chassis for moving the vehicle, an application system supported by the chassis and including a product tank storing a volume of agricultural product for delivery onto an agricultural field, and an application boom configured to deliver the agricultural product to the agricultural field. The application boom includes a boom arm segment having a longitudinal tube, an elongated structure coupled to the longitudinal tube, and an elastomeric bonding material affixing the longitudinal tube and the elongated structure.