Composite Spraying Boom Support Reducing Weight and Corrosion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural sprayer spraying boom supports made of metal are heavy, prone to deformation and breakage due to cyclic efforts and vibrations, limiting working width and speed, and are susceptible to corrosion from treatment products, leading to increased maintenance and downtime.
Innovation Solution
A modular spraying boom support using composite materials like carbon fiber and metal nodes, allowing for adjustable length and thickness without complex molds, with repair kits for on-site maintenance and corrosion resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal structure is used for spraying boom support, then structural strength and rigidity are achieved, but weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials (carbon fiber reinforced polymer) to manufacture the spraying boom support. This composite material provides high strength-to-weight ratio, maintaining structural strength while significantly reducing the weight compared to traditional metal structures. The composite material also offers corrosion resistance and fatigue resistance properties.
2Stability of the object's composition
If metal cross-linked structure is used, then horizontality of lower bar is maintained, but weight and inertia increase
Solution Approach 1:
The composite material structure maintains the required horizontality and stability through its high specific stiffness (stiffness-to-weight ratio). The carbon fiber reinforced polymer provides sufficient rigidity to maintain the lower bar horizontality while reducing overall weight and inertia, allowing faster response during turning operations.
3Strength
If metal structure is used, then structural support is provided, but corrosion from treatment products occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The composite material (carbon fiber reinforced polymer) inherently resists corrosion from treatment products such as pesticides and fertilizers. Unlike metal structures that require protective coatings and maintenance, the composite material provides structural support without being susceptible to chemical corrosion, extending service life and reducing maintenance requirements.
4Reliability
If metal structure is used, then durability is achieved, but cyclic efforts cause breaks requiring welding repair
Solution Approach 1:
The composite material structure resists fatigue from cyclic efforts and vibrations better than metal. When damage occurs, it can be repaired using composite repair techniques (such as carbon fiber patches and resin bonding) rather than welding, which is more complex and time-consuming. The composite material's fatigue resistance also extends the service life under cyclic loading conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
Spraying boom support for agricultural sprayers, whether trailed, self-propelled and/or airborne, which includes identical articulated arms arranged on either side of the sprayer. Said arms are extended transversely to the direction of advance of the sprayer, and are coupled in an articulated manner to a central support section of the chassis of said sprayer. Each articulated arm is comprised of bar sections formed by a composite material consisting of a reinforcing agent selected from carbon fiber, fiberglass, aramid fiber, boron fiber or a combination thereof, and a matrix of epoxy, vinyl ester, phenolic, polyester resins or thermoplastic material. At its ends, the bar sections have metal nodes that make up the joints and links, also fulfilling the role of taking the concentrated loads of them and distribute them in the bar sections of composite material. In this way areas of great thickness of composite material are avoided and the advantages of each material are exploited resulting in an economical, efficient, lightweight, low maintenance and easily repairable design.