Boom Arm Breakaway Joint With Cam-Leaf Spring Return
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural sprayer boom arms often encounter debris or obstacles, leading to inefficient operation and potential damage due to existing coupling mechanisms that fail to effectively manage deflection and return to neutral position.
Innovation Solution
A breakaway joint system comprising a pivot axis, a leaf spring, and a cam, where the leaf spring contacts the cam at different forces depending on the position, allowing the boom segments to pivot and return to a neutral alignment, with optional features like a U-shaped coupler, removable pin, and bumper for enhanced functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid coupling mechanism is used to connect boom arm segments, then structural strength and stability are improved, but the ability to deflect and return to neutral position when encountering debris is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic system with a cam and follower arrangement. The cam rotates about the pivot axis while the follower maintains contact through a spring mechanism, allowing the boom segments to pivot relative to each other when debris is encountered while maintaining structural integrity during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The boom arm is divided into multiple segments that can pivot independently relative to each other. The cam-follower coupling allows each segment to maintain its position during normal operation but can deflect independently when encountering obstacles, then return to its neutral position, providing both strength and adaptability
2Reliability
If a spring-based coupling mechanism is used to allow boom arm segments to pivot relative to each other, then the ability to deflect and return to neutral position is improved, but structural strength and stability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a dynamic cam mechanism where rotation of the cam about the pivot axis creates controlled movement of the follower. The spring provides the necessary force to maintain contact and enable return to neutral position, while the rigid cam and follower geometry maintain structural strength during both deflected and neutral states
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the rigid structural elements (cam, follower, pivot axis) with the flexible spring mechanism into a unified coupling system. This integration allows the system to simultaneously provide structural strength through the rigid components and deflection/return capability through the spring, resolving the contradiction between strength and reliability
3Productivity
If existing coupling mechanisms are used, then boom arm segments can be connected, but efficient operation and damage prevention when encountering debris is worsened due to inability to effectively manage deflection
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is pre-loaded to continuously bias the cam and follower into engagement, creating a ready state that immediately responds to debris contact. This preliminary positioning ensures that when debris is encountered, the mechanism can quickly deflect and then return to neutral, preventing damage and maintaining efficient operation without requiring active control systems
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 allows for efficient deflection and return of boom segments to a neutral position, reducing damage from obstacles and maintaining optimal operation of the sprayer, while accommodating various materials and configurations for enhanced performance.
Implementation Method 1
a leaf spring coupled to the bracket between the first boom segment and the second boom segment; wherein, the first boom segment and the second boom segment are pivotally aligned in a neutral position; further wherein, in the neutral position the leaf spring contacts the cam at a first contact force, and in any position other than the neutral position the leaf spring contacts the cam at a contact force greater than the first contact force
Data Source
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AI summary
A breakaway joint (302) for a boom arm assembly (108, 110) on a work machine (100) is disclosed. The breakaway joint (302), comprising: a first boom segment (202) with a first end (206) and a second end (208) the first boom segment (202) defining a pivot axis (210) at the second end (208); a second boom segment (204) pivotally coupled to the first boom segment (202) at the pivot axis (210); a bracket (306) coupled to the first boom segment (202); a leaf spring (308) coupled to the bracket (306) between the first boom segment (202) and the second boom segment (204); and a cam (316) coupled to the second boom segment (204) and positioned adjacent to the leaf spring (308); wherein, the first boom segment (202) and the second boom segment (204) are pivotally aligned in a neutral position; further wherein, in the neutral position the leaf spring (308) contacts the cam (316) at a first contact force, and in any position other than the neutral position the leaf spring (308) contacts the cam (316) at a contact force greater than the first contact force. Further a work machine (100) with a boom arm assembly (108, 110) and breakaway joint (302) is disclosed.