Compound Pivot Axis Hinge for Vertical Boom Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural product applicators with large, fast-moving booms face challenges in transportation due to extended boom arms that cantilever beyond the applicator frame, making them difficult to turn and transport, and increasing the number of hinges does not effectively reduce length while increasing width, complicating transportation.
Innovation Solution
A compound pivot axis hinge system that allows boom sections to fold into a vertical stack by reorienting a horizontal stack through a tilted pivot axis, enabling a trifold configuration that reduces the length of folded boom arms while maintaining a compact width, facilitating easier transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the number of hinges in boom arms is increased to decrease the length of boom arms extending behind the boom cradle, then the length of folded boom arms is reduced, but the width of the applicator increases due to multiple folded sections extending horizontally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning the boom stack from a horizontal configuration to a vertical configuration. The compound pivot axis hinge enables the boom sections to fold vertically along the longitudinal axis of the applicator rather than horizontally, thereby reducing the width occupation while maintaining compact length. This vertical stacking approach resolves the contradiction by changing the spatial dimension in which the boom sections are arranged.
2Productivity
If boom arms are made longer to increase coverage efficiency, then productivity is improved, but the folded boom extends further rearwardly making transportation and turning more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables long boom arms to be folded into a vertical stack configuration that minimizes rearward extension. By using the compound pivot axis hinge to create a vertical stacking arrangement along the longitudinal axis, the folded boom occupies minimal space behind the applicator frame, thereby improving maneuverability and transport ease while maintaining the benefit of long boom arms for coverage efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by arranging multiple boom sections in a compact vertical stack where inner boom sections are positioned within the structural envelope of outer boom sections. This nested configuration allows long boom arms to be collapsed into a compact form that minimizes the rearward projection, resolving the contradiction between productivity and ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If bi-fold configuration is used to fold boom arms, then the boom can be folded in half for transport, but the folded boom arm still extends rearwardly beyond the boom cradle subjecting it to substantial forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the boom arm into multiple sections (inner boom section, intermediate boom section, outer boom section) connected by hinges. This segmentation allows the boom to be folded into a compact vertical stack that reduces rearward extension beyond the boom cradle, thereby minimizing the cantilevered length and the substantial forces acting on the folded boom during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from horizontal folding to vertical stacking using the compound pivot axis hinge. This dimensional change allows the folded boom sections to be positioned vertically along the longitudinal axis rather than extending horizontally rearwardly, reducing the moment arm and consequently the forces acting on the folded boom structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge system is provided for a boom of an agricultural product applicator that facilitates a compact folded boom width in a transport mode by providing a multi-directional folding, including folding with compound movement components to reorient a primarily horizontal stack of boom sections to a primarily vertical stack of the boom sections, when fully folded. The hinge system may include multiple hinge joints with pivot axes that are oriented at different angles to allow for substantially horizontal folding movements followed by a rolling-type movement(s) that reorients a generally horizontal stack of boom sections into a generally vertical stack of boom sections to decrease an overall width of the applicator when in transport mode.