Crop Sprayer Frame Dynamics for Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crop spraying apparatuses face challenges with maintenance accessibility and apparatus length, leading to increased wear, complex disassembly requirements, and higher risks of drive unit instability during spraying.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features a frame with a connector that allows the head group to be reconfigured between a working and maintenance position, providing direct accessibility for maintenance while minimizing exposure to dirt and reducing the overall length of the apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the head group is positioned alongside the tank to maintain accessibility, then maintenance operations are simplified, but the total length of the apparatus increases considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is designed to be movable between a working configuration and a maintenance configuration. During working operations, the frame structure positions the head group alongside the tank for compactness. During maintenance, the frame can be repositioned to allow access to the maintenance side of the head group, providing dynamic adaptability between operational compactness and maintenance accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is divided into separable components including the tank, head group, and frame structure. The frame itself is segmented into multiple structures that can be repositioned relative to each other. This segmentation allows the maintenance side of the head group to be accessed by reconfiguring the frame segments without requiring complete disassembly or permanent extension of the apparatus length.
2Device complexity
If the head group faces the tank during operation, then the apparatus compactness is maintained, but maintenance operations require complex disassembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure is designed to dynamically reconfigure between working and maintenance states. During working operations, the frame maintains compactness with the head group facing the tank. During maintenance, the frame can be repositioned to provide direct access to the maintenance side of the head group, eliminating the need for complex disassembly while maintaining operational compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The maintenance side of the head group is made accessible by extracting or removing the frame structure from its working position during maintenance operations. This allows the maintenance side to be accessed without permanently altering the compact working configuration, effectively taking out the frame from the working state to enable maintenance access.
3Ease of repair
If the apparatus is elongated to position the head group alongside the tank, then maintenance accessibility is improved, but the bending forces on the frame increase and drive unit stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is designed to be movable between working and maintenance configurations. During working operations, the frame maintains a compact structure that minimizes bending forces and ensures drive unit stability. During maintenance, the frame can be repositioned to provide access to the maintenance side without permanently elongating the apparatus, thus maintaining structural integrity and drive unit stability while enabling maintenance access.
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 configuration simplifies and speeds up maintenance operations, reduces the risk of human errors, and minimizes the risk of drive unit instability by reducing bending forces on the frame.
Implementation Method 1
The head group is configured to draw air from an external environment. The head group is configured to mix the air with the treatment compound.
Implementation Method 2
The head group is configured to pump the treatment air to the dispenser
Implementation Method 3
a nebulizing or micronizing nozzle for the treatment fluid
Implementation Method 4
the atomised treatment compound is also subjected to an electrostatic charge which considerably increases the capacity of adherence to the crops once dispensed
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
Described is an apparatus (1) for spraying crops with a treating compound, comprising: a tank (2), configured to contain the treatment compound; a dispenser (3), configured to receive treatment air, including the treatment compound in atomised form; a head group (4), configured for drawing air from an external environment, mixing it with the treatment compound and pumping it to the dispenser (3); a frame (5), configured to support the tank (2), the dispenser (3) and the head group (4) and including a first structure (51) and a second structure (52). The first (51) and the second structure (52) are placed side by side along a direction of advance (A) along which the apparatus advances between crops. The frame (5) includes a connector (6), configured to connect the first structure (51) to the second structure (52) and mobile between a working position (PL), in which the first (51) and the second structure (52) are bound to each other, and a maintenance position (PM), in which the first (51) and the second structure (52) are mobile to each other. The frame (5) is mobile between a working configuration (CL), wherein a maintenance side (LM) is facing the tank (2) and forbidden to a maintenance user, and a maintenance configuration (CM), wherein a maintenance side (LM) is accessible to the user.