Breakaway Boom Hinge and Damper Layout for Obstacle Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural applicators face issues with the outer portion of the boom assembly contacting objects during operation, necessitating an improved system for a breakaway boom section.
Innovation Solution
A boom assembly featuring an inner boom section with a breakaway section guided by a hinge assembly, a damper system to control movement, and a retainment assembly to maintain conduits above the damper system, ensuring the breakaway section returns to a default position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the boom assembly is made rigid to maintain structural stability, then the structural strength is improved, but the damage from contacting objects during operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The boom assembly is divided into multiple sections (inner boom section and breakaway boom section) that can move independently. The breakaway section is connected through a hinge assembly with a damper system, allowing it to detach or move away when contacting objects, while the inner section maintains structural integrity for continued operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The boom assembly transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system with movable breakaway sections. The hinge assembly enables rotational movement, and the damper system provides controlled motion, allowing the boom to adapt its configuration in response to external contacts while maintaining overall structural stability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the breakaway boom section is allowed to move freely to avoid damage, then the protection from object contact is improved, but the control over boom position deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly provides controlled movement rather than free motion. It allows the breakaway section to rotate and move away from obstacles while maintaining a defined relationship with the inner boom section, ensuring predictable behavior and maintainable control during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper system acts as an intermediary between the breakaway boom section and the inner boom section. It controls the movement of the breakaway section, providing damping forces that regulate the motion and ensure controlled return to position, thereby maintaining operational control while allowing protective movement.
3Ease of manufacture
If conduits are routed below the damper system for easier installation, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the risk of conduit damage during breakaway movement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conduits are routed vertically above the damper system instead of horizontally below it. This vertical routing positions the conduits in a different spatial dimension that avoids the movement path of the breakaway section, protecting them from damage while maintaining installation feasibility through proper routing planning.
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 controlled movement and protection of the boom assembly components, preventing damage and maintaining efficient agricultural product distribution.
Implementation Method 1
A damper system is operably coupled with the inner bracket and the outer bracket
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural system may include a boom assembly including an inner boom section having an inner section frame and a breakaway boom section having a breakaway section frame. A hinge assembly can be configured to guide the movement of the breakaway boom section relative to the inner boom section. The hinge assembly may include an inner bracket operably coupled with the inner boom section and a mounting plate, an outer bracket operably coupled with the breakaway section frame, a hinge pin operably coupled with the outer bracket, and a bore operably coupled with the mounting plate and surrounding the hinge pin. A damper system may be operably coupled with the inner bracket and the outer bracket. At least a portion of the inner bracket is positioned above the damper system.