Foldable Distributor Linkage Suspension for Uneven Terrain Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural apparatuses face challenges in maintaining a consistent distance and orientation of distributor linkages over uneven terrain, leading to potential damage and uneven material distribution due to imprecise and slow inclination control systems.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features a distributor linkage with a central part connected to two intermediate frames that can rotate about horizontal and vertical axes, controlled by hydraulic actuating devices, allowing precise and flexible adjustment of boom angles and damping of vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If hydraulic cylinders and spring damper systems are used to adjust boom inclination, then the distance to ground can be adjusted, but the control is imprecise and slow
Solution Approach 1:
The distributor linkage is divided into multiple independently controllable segments (left and right booms with intermediate frames), each equipped with its own hydraulic actuating device. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each boom section, enabling precise local control without requiring adjustment of the entire structure, thereby improving both precision and response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static or slowly responding mechanical spring-damper systems to dynamically controllable hydraulic actuating devices with electronic sensors and control units. The hydraulic cylinders can rapidly and precisely adjust boom inclination in real-time based on terrain conditions, significantly improving adjustment speed and precision compared to passive mechanical systems.
2Stability of the object's composition
If complex intermediate frames with springs and dampers are used, then boom stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex spring and damper mechanisms are extracted and replaced with hydraulic actuating devices that provide both positioning and damping functions in a single integrated component. The hydraulic system absorbs shocks and maintains stability through fluid compression and controlled flow, eliminating the need for separate mechanical spring-damper assemblies while reducing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic actuating devices serve multiple functions simultaneously: they adjust boom inclination, provide shock absorption, maintain positional stability, and enable rapid response to terrain changes. This multi-functionality replaces what previously required separate mechanical components for each function, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining or improving stability.
3Manufacturing precision
If the distributor linkage is kept parallel to ground over uneven terrain, then material distribution uniformity is improved, but the suspension system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors (such as ultrasonic or optical distance sensors) that continuously measure the distance between the distributor linkage and the ground. These measurements are fed back to the control unit, which automatically adjusts the hydraulic actuating devices to maintain constant spacing. This closed-loop feedback control ensures uniform material distribution without requiring overly complex mechanical suspension mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Complex mechanical suspension mechanisms are replaced with a combination of hydraulic actuating devices and electronic control systems. The hydraulic-system provides the mechanical adjustment capability, while the electronic control and sensing systems provide the intelligence to maintain parallelism over uneven terrain. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while achieving the desired precision in material distribution.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an agricultural apparatus (1) for spreading material such as fertilizer, plant protection products or seed, comprising a distributor linkage (10) which can be folded on both sides, comprising a central part (11), where the central part (11) is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the agricultural apparatus (2), two intermediate frames (12a,b) connected to the central part (11), in particular by joints, two lateral booms (13a,b) connected to the respective intermediate frames (12a,b), a first hydraulic actuating device (14) which connects a first of the intermediate frames (12a) to the central part (11), where the respective first boom (13a) can be moved by way of the first hydraulic actuating device (14) about a first axis of rotation (h1) pointing in the direction of travel of the agricultural apparatus (1), and a second hydraulic actuating device (15), where the respective second arm (13b) can be moved by way of the second hydraulic actuating device (15) about a second axis of rotation (h2) pointing in the direction of travel of the agricultural apparatus (1).