Distributor Boom Active Mass Damping for Spray Rate Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural field sprayers with distributor booms experience significant vibratory motions during acceleration, deceleration, and turning, leading to inconsistent application rates due to their relatively low rigidity in the forward direction, resulting in undesired variations in spray distribution.
Innovation Solution
An active vibration damping system is implemented, comprising sensors to detect vibrations, an electronic control device, and a mobile mass coupled with an actuator that relocates along the vibration direction to counteract the motion, using actuators driven in phase opposition to the detected vibrations, effectively damping both horizontal and vertical vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the distributor boom is designed to be less rigid in the forward direction to reduce weight and cost, then weight and manufacturing cost are reduced, but vibratory motions occur during acceleration, deceleration, or turning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the mass movable along the boom in the forward direction rather than fixed. This movable mass can dynamically adjust its position to counteract vibratory motions during acceleration, deceleration, or turning, resolving the contradiction between reduced rigidity/weight and vibration stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a counterweight principle by positioning a mass on the boom that can move to generate opposing forces against vibratory motions. The mass acts as a counterbalance that actively compensates for the instability caused by reduced boom rigidity
2Ease of manufacture
If the distributor boom is designed to be less rigid in the forward direction, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the desired rates of application cannot be complied with locally due to vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The movable mass provides dynamic compensation that allows the boom to maintain manufacturing precision (application rate consistency) despite being easier to manufacture with reduced rigidity. The mass moves to counteract vibrations that would otherwise cause variable application rates
3Device complexity
If a passive vibration damping system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but varying vibration frequencies cannot be effectively damped
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves frequency adaptability through the movable mass that can dynamically reposition along the boom. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to varying vibration frequencies without requiring complex passive damping components, maintaining relatively simple device architecture while improving versatility
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
This solution provides effective damping of vibrations across varying frequencies, ensuring consistent spray application rates by relocating a mass in opposition to the boom's movements, thereby reducing the impact of vibratory motions and maintaining desired application rates.
Implementation Method 1
a mobile mass coupled to the distributor boom and associated with an actuator, the electronic control device, upon detection of a vibration in the distributor boom, configured to actuate the actuator to relocate the mobile mass in the direction of the vibration to be damped
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural machine, the machine comprising: a distributor boom; a sensor for detecting a vibration of the distributor boom; an electronic control device in communication with the sensor; and a mobile mass coupled to the distributor boom and associated with an actuator, the electronic control device, upon detection of a vibration in the distributor boom, configured to actuate the actuator to relocate the mobile mass in the direction of the vibration to be damped with respect to the distributor boom.