Drop-down Applicator Assemblies for Agricultural Sprayers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural sprayers face challenges in efficiently and uniformly applying agricultural materials across uneven terrain and between crop rows, as existing systems often overload support booms and fail to adjust effectively to ground contours, leading to inconsistent dispensing directions and reduced application efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a plurality of drop-down applicator assemblies with resilient frames and teardrop-shaped feet that flex to adjust to ground height and contours, maintaining consistent dispensing directions and ensuring efficient application by coupling spray nozzles to adjustable brackets, allowing for flexible positioning and orientation of spray outlets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid support boom is used to hold spray nozzles, then structural strength is maintained, but the system cannot adapt to uneven terrain and ground contours
Solution Approach 1:
The support boom is divided into multiple segments that can move independently relative to each other. Each segment can flex and adjust to local terrain conditions while the overall structure maintains its support function. This segmentation allows the boom to adapt to uneven ground without compromising structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support boom transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system that can change its configuration in response to terrain variations. The boom segments can flex, rotate, and adjust their positions dynamically to match ground contours, enabling adaptability while maintaining strength through controlled movement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed spray nozzles are used on the support boom, then dispensing direction is consistent, but the system fails to adjust to varying ground levels and crop row positions
Solution Approach 1:
The spray nozzles are mounted on adjustable brackets that can move relative to the support boom segments. These brackets can rotate and position themselves to maintain optimal dispensing angles despite changes in ground level or crop row position, ensuring consistent application while adapting to terrain.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the spatial parameters of the spray nozzles by adjusting bracket positions and orientations. The nozzles can be repositioned along the boom segments and adjusted in angle to maintain proper dispensing directions across varying ground contours and crop row configurations.
3Reliability
If heavy-duty components are used to ensure reliability, then component strength increases, but the overall device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support boom segments and associated components use flexible yet strong materials that provide sufficient reliability without excessive weight. The flexible nature of these components allows them to bend and adapt to terrain while maintaining structural integrity, eliminating the need for heavy-duty reinforcement.
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator assembly uses composite materials that combine lightweight properties with high strength and durability. These composite structures provide the necessary reliability for agricultural operations while minimizing weight, improving the overall weight-to-strength ratio of the system.
4Adaptability or versatility
If complex adjustment mechanisms are added to enable terrain adaptation, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is segmented into simple, independent units at each boom segment. Each segment can adjust independently through straightforward mechanical linkages, avoiding the need for complex centralized control systems. This modular approach reduces overall system complexity while maintaining terrain adaptation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator assembly incorporates self-adjusting features that automatically respond to terrain changes without requiring complex external control mechanisms. The flexible boom segments and adjustable brackets naturally adapt to ground contours through their mechanical design, eliminating the need for sophisticated sensors and actuators.
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 enables efficient and uniform application of agricultural materials across varying terrain and between crop rows, maintaining consistent dispensing directions and reducing wear on components, thereby enhancing application efficiency and adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient frame (85) having a body (90) coupled to the support boom (55) and a foot (95) coupled to the body (90)... the resilient frame (85) flexing in response to ground height and contours
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An agricultural vehicle is moveable across a surface. The agricultural vehicle includes a chassis, a traction member coupled to the chassis with the traction member configured to engage the surface and move the chassis relative to the surface, a holding tank coupled to the chassis with the holding tank configured to support agricultural matter, a support boom coupled to the chassis, and a plurality of applicator assemblies. Each applicator assembly of the plurality of applicator assemblies includes a resilient body coupled to the support boom, a foot coupled to the body with the foot configured to be biased into engagement with the surface via the resiliency of the body, and a nozzle. The nozzle is in communication with the holding tank and configured to dispense the agricultural matter.