Arched Fender Extension for Agricultural Sprayer Mud Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural sprayers face issues with mud flinging and soil contamination when using wide tires, as existing narrow fenders are ineffective, and switching to wide fenders with narrow tires leads to increased width, damage to crops, and aesthetic issues, with the current solution of buying two sets of fenders being costly and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A fender extension apparatus that can be easily attached to and detached from existing fenders, allowing for quick conversion between narrow and wide tire configurations, featuring arched extensions with brackets and connectors for secure attachment, made of rugged polyethylene to prevent rust and denting, and designed for easy installation and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If wide fenders are used with wide tires, then mud protection is improved, but the sprayer width increases leading to crop damage and aesthetic issues
Solution Approach 1:
The fender system is divided into a base fender and detachable extension portions. The extension portions can be attached only when wide tires are used, providing mud protection only when needed. This segmentation allows the sprayer to maintain narrow width with narrow tires while having the option to widen only the fenders (not the entire sprayer) when wide tires are required.
Solution Approach 2:
The fender configuration is made dynamic and adaptable. The extension portions can be easily attached or detached based on tire width requirements. This allows the sprayer to transition between narrow and wide fender configurations quickly, adapting to different operational conditions without permanent structural changes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two sets of fenders are purchased to accommodate different tire widths, then adaptability is improved, but cost and time required for changes increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring two complete fender sets, the system segments the fender into a base portion and detachable extension portions. This reduces the inventory requirement from two complete sets to one base set plus separate extension portions, simplifying storage and reducing the time needed to switch configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension portions are designed to be pre-fabricated and stored separately. When a width change is needed, the user simply attaches the appropriate extension portions to the base fender rather than replacing entire fenders. This preliminary preparation of components reduces on-site change time and labor requirements.
3Length of moving object
If narrow fenders are used with wide tires, then sprayer width is maintained, but mud protection becomes ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The fender system dynamically adapts to tire width by allowing the attachment or detachment of extension portions. When wide tires are installed, the extension portions are attached to provide adequate mud protection. When narrow tires are used, the extensions are removed, maintaining the original narrow fender configuration. This dynamic adjustment ensures appropriate mud protection matches the tire width being used.
Data Source
AI summary
An arched fender extension portion is attached along an edge of an existing fender of an agricultural vehicle with a common curvature and lying in a common plane by a pair of brackets mounted on the existing fender at longitudinally spaced fastening arrangements thereof. The extension portion includes two bolt connectors arranged to pull the flat edge of the extension portion into butting engagement with the outer side edge of the existing fender inwardly of an edge flange portion of the existing fender.