Flexible Beater Tray Front Wall for Manure Wear Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural spreaders face significant wear and tear due to the gritty and coarse nature of manure used as organic fertilizer, which leads to rapid degradation of steel paddles and build-up in the beater tray, necessitating frequent replacements and downtime.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a soft and flexible component into the front wall of the beater tray that conforms to the footprint of the paddles, reducing the dead zone where manure can build-up and harden, and preventing wear on the paddles by discouraging sticking and hardening of the manure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If steel paddles are used in the beater section, then the spreader can effectively throw manure, but the paddles wear out quickly due to the gritty and coarse nature of manure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanure throwing effectivenessVSAvoidpaddle lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter of the front wall from rigid steel to soft flexible material. This parameter change allows the wall to deform under the impact of coarse manure, preventing the manure from building up and hardening against rigid surfaces. The soft material absorbs the mechanical stress that would otherwise erode steel paddles, thereby extending their lifespan while maintaining throwing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite structure where the front wall is made of soft flexible material rather than uniform steel construction. This composite approach combines the structural support needed for the beater section with the wear-resistant properties of soft material that prevents manure buildup, solving both the productivity and durability requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If rigid front wall is used in the beater tray, then the structure is strong, but manure builds up and hardens in dead areas causing wear on paddles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefront wall strengthVSAvoidmanure buildup and hardening

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameter of the front wall from rigid to soft flexible. This allows the wall to dynamically respond to manure accumulation by deforming and preventing hardening, while still providing sufficient structural strength through the flexibility and resilience of the soft material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of manure impact into a beneficial one by using soft flexible material that absorbs the impact energy. Instead of the rigid wall causing manure to harden and create wear, the soft wall allows controlled deformation that prevents hardening, turning the mechanical stress into a self-cleaning mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Duration of action of stationary object

If chromium carbide paddles are used instead of steel, then paddle life is extended, but the cost increases significantly and manure build-up is not mitigated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaddle lifeVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adopts a strategy where the front wall is made of inexpensive soft flexible material that can be easily replaced or maintained. This avoids the need for expensive chromium carbide paddles by preventing the conditions that cause paddle wear in the first place, making the system more cost-effective overall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The soft flexible front wall acts as an intermediary between the manure and the paddles. It prevents direct contact between coarse, hardening manure and the paddle surfaces, thereby protecting the paddles from wear without requiring expensive materials. The intermediary absorbs the harmful effects before they reach the paddles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11102923B2Agricultural spreader and beater assembly therefore

Publication Date: 2021.08.31 JAY LOR INT INC

AI summary

An agricultural spreader is disclosed. The spreader comprises a holding box for containing a spreadable load to be spread; and a beater section in communication with the holding device for outputting the spreadable load. The beater section comprises an upright beater having flighting depending therefrom including a spinner deck defining substantially a bottom flight thereof, the spinner deck comprising a plurality of paddles oriented for throwing the spreadable load during operation of the beater, a beater tray situated at the bottom of the upright beater with the upright beater mounted thereon and having a front side facing the holding box. The beater tray comprises a floor and a front wall rising therefrom for at least partially blocking the spreadable load from being thrown toward the holding box. The front wall comprises a soft/flexible section shaped to substantially correspond with a front portion of the footprint of the spinner deck.