Agricultural Boom Mounting Assembly with Adjustable Roller Balancing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing boom mounting assemblies for agricultural machines lack stability and performance, particularly when operating on inclined terrain, as they fail to effectively balance the boom across varying ground conditions.

Innovation Solution

A boom mounting assembly featuring a primary frame, a boom support frame that pivots in a transverse plane, and a roller assembly with sub-frame members and roller members that allow for adjustable positioning and balancing, utilizing rollers made of materials like thermoplastic polyurethane or nylon, and an actuator to adjust support sections relative to the pivot point based on ground inclination measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the boom support frame is suspended from the primary frame to allow pivoting movement, then the boom can balance in desired positions including non-horizontal positions on inclined terrain, but the stability and performance of the assembly deteriorates due to insufficient control over pitch and yaw movements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveboom balancing capabilityVSAvoidassembly stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The boom support frame is designed with dynamic movement capabilities, allowing it to pivot in a transverse plane around a longitudinal axis of rotation. This dynamic configuration enables the boom to adapt to different terrain inclinations and balance in desired positions, including non-horizontal positions, while maintaining operational stability through controlled movement rather than fixed positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs dampers that can be adjusted to control the damping characteristics of pitch and asymmetrical yaw movements. By changing the damping parameters, the system optimizes both the adaptability of the boom to different terrain conditions and the stability of the assembly during operation, resolving the contradiction between movement freedom and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If dampers are positioned spaced from the transverse center of the assembly, then pitch and asymmetrical yaw movements can be controlled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement controlVSAvoiddamper configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The damping function is segmented into separate dampers positioned at specific locations spaced from the transverse center of the assembly. This segmentation allows independent control of pitch and asymmetrical yaw movements, enabling precise movement control while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure by using discrete, localized damping elements rather than a complex distributed system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the running surface of the roller member rests against the boom support frame or boom section, then friction is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the roller member may detach under certain operating conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroller functionalityVSAvoidroller retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The roller member is designed with a rotatable sub-frame member that allows the roller to dynamically adjust its position and orientation. This dynamic configuration enables the running surface to maintain contact with the boom support frame or boom section during normal operation, reducing friction and improving ease of operation, while the rotatable capability allows the roller to accommodate variations in load and position that prevent detachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 assembly provides improved stability and performance by allowing the boom to balance dynamically across different terrain inclinations, reducing friction and maintaining optimal boom position through adjustable support sections and roller surfaces, enhancing operational efficiency and preventing damage.

Implementation Method 1

a first roller member, the first roller member rotatable around a first roller axis of rotation provided on the first sub-frame member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Implementation Method 2

the boom support frame can pivot in a transverse plane around a longitudinal axis of rotation provided in a pivot point

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPivoting: Hinge

Implementation Method 3

the first sub-frame member is rotatable jointly with the first roller axis of rotation and the first roller member around a first sub-frame axis of rotation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotation: Axle

Data Source

PatentEP3501275B1Boom mounting assembly
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 KVERNELAND GRP NIEUW VENNEP BV
  • EP3501275B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3501275B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3501275B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure refers to a boom mounting assembly for attachment to an agricultural machine, comprising: a primary frame; a boom support frame (1) configured to support a boom and suspended from the primary frame such that the boom support frame (1) can pivot in a transverse plane around a longitudinal axis of rotation provided in a pivot point; a first sub-frame member (22; 23; 24) provided on the primary frame or the boom support frame (1); and a first roller member (25; 26; 27), the first roller member (25; 26; 27) rotatable around a first roller axis of rotation (25b; 26b; 27b) provided on the first sub-frame member (22; 23; 24), and a running surface of the first roller member (25; 26; 27) configured to rest detachably against at least one of the primary frame, the boom support frame (1), and a boom section of the boom. The first sub-frame member (22; 23; 24) is rotatable jointly with the first roller axis of rotation (25b; 26b; 27b) and the first roller member (25; 26; 27) around a first sub-frame axis of rotation (22a; 23a; 24a) which is extending transversely to the first roller axis of rotation (25b; 26b; 27b).