Distributor Linkage Active Mass Damping for Spreader Vibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural distribution machines face challenges in effectively damping vibrations in their distributor linkages, leading to inconsistent application rates due to oscillations during deceleration, acceleration, or turning, with existing solutions being complex, unsatisfactory, or limited to specific vibration directions.

Innovation Solution

An agricultural distribution machine equipped with a sensor-actuated device for active vibration damping, featuring a movable mass coupled to the distributor linkage that adjusts along the vibration direction, controlled by an electronic control unit to counteract oscillations, effectively damping vibrations across various frequencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If passive damping elements are used, then the structure is simple, but the vibration damping effectiveness is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidvibration damping effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies active vibration damping by dynamically adjusting the position of a movable mass along the distributor linkage using an actuator. The control unit continuously monitors vibrations and adjusts the mass position in real-time to counteract oscillations, transforming a static passive system into a dynamic active system that adapts to varying vibration conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback control system where a sensor detects vibrations in the distributor linkage, the control unit processes this information, and the actuator adjusts the movable mass position accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures continuous optimization of vibration damping effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If active actuators are positioned between the chassis and the boom, then vibration damping effectiveness improves, but the device complexity increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration damping effectivenessVSAvoidconnection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the vibration damping function from the main chassis-boom connection structure and implements it locally at the distributor linkage level. By positioning the movable mass and actuator directly on the distributor linkage rather than between the chassis and boom, the solution simplifies the connection structure while maintaining effective vibration damping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the vibration damping function into a localized system on the distributor linkage, separating it from the main chassis-boom connection. This segmentation allows the damping mechanism to operate independently with simpler connections while effectively addressing vibrations at their source.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the entire boom is adjusted in the forward direction, then the effects of linear decelerations or accelerations are reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffects of linear decelerations or accelerationsVSAvoidboom adjustment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by addressing vibrations at the specific location of the distributor linkage rather than adjusting the entire boom. The movable mass and actuator are positioned locally on the linkage to counteract vibrations caused by linear decelerations or accelerations, avoiding the complexity of moving the entire boom structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of operation

If passive mass and spring damping is used, then no active control is needed, but the damping characteristics cannot be varied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic operationVSAvoiddamping characteristic variability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static passive mass-spring system into a dynamic active system by adding an actuator that can adjust the movable mass position. This allows the damping characteristics to be dynamically varied in response to different operating conditions while maintaining automatic operation through feedback control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables parameter changes by allowing the control unit to adjust the position of the movable mass along the distributor linkage. This changes the damping characteristics in real-time to adapt to different vibration frequencies and amplitudes, providing versatility while maintaining automatic operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution provides efficient and flexible vibration damping, ensuring consistent application rates by actively counteracting oscillations, reducing the complexity of previous solutions and improving damping effectiveness across different vibration frequencies.

Implementation Method 1

a movable mass (44) coupled to the distribution linkage (28) and adjustable by means of an actuator (46) along the direction in which vibrations are to be damped

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInertia: Inertia

Implementation Method 2

a sensor (48) for detecting a vibration of the distribution linkage (28)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcceleration detection: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentEP3679788B1Vibration damper of a distributor system of rods on an agricultural spreader
Publication Date: 2021.08.11 DEERE & CO
  • EP3679788B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

An agricultural spreading machine (22) is equipped with a distribution linkage (28) and a device (40) for actively damping vibrations occurring in the distribution linkage (28), which includes a sensor (48) for detecting a vibration of the distribution linkage (28), an electronic control device (50) connected to the sensor (48) and an actuator (46) that can be actuated by the control device (50) for adjusting a mass (44) coupled to the distribution linkage (28) and movable along the direction of the vibration to be damped.