Flexible Frame Suspension Torque Rods for Agricultural Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional suspension systems for self-propelled crop sprayers face limitations in flexibility, leading to concentrated stresses and poor tire-to-ground contact on uneven terrain, which affects the vehicle's ability to traverse extreme terrain effectively.
Innovation Solution
A flexible frame suspension system with parallel frame rails, vertically mounted axles, and a torque rod suspension system that includes upper, lower, and cross torque rods with rotatable joints, allowing for angular rotation and reducing stress concentrations, thereby enhancing flexibility and tire contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid frame with fixed cross members is used, then structural strength is improved, but flexibility and tire-to-ground contact deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid frame is segmented into multiple suspension units, each with independent torque rod mechanisms. This allows the frame to be divided into flexible segments that can move independently, maintaining structural strength while improving adaptability to uneven terrain.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension system introduces dynamic elements through torque rods with rotatable joints that allow angular rotation. This transforms the static rigid frame into a dynamic structure that can adapt its configuration to maintain tire-to-ground contact on varying terrain.
2Reliability
If a complicated machined casting suspension is used, then wheel suspension capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex machined casting is extracted and replaced with simpler torque rod mechanisms and rotatable joints. This removes the complicated single-piece casting while maintaining suspension capability through a modular assembly of simpler components.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension mechanism changes from a fixed rigid connection to a flexible connection with rotatable joints that allow angular rotation. This parameter change in joint flexibility maintains suspension reliability while reducing overall device complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If axles are fixed to the main frame, then structural stability is improved, but flexibility and stress distribution deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed axle connection is transformed into a dynamic suspension system with torque rods and rotatable joints. This allows the axles to move relative to the frame while maintaining structural stability, improving flexibility and stress distribution across the terrain.
Solution Approach 2:
Torque rods serve as intermediary elements between the axles and the main frame. These intermediaries allow relative motion and stress distribution while maintaining the structural connection, enabling both stability and flexibility.
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
The solution provides improved flexibility and maintains full tire-to-ground contact on uneven terrain, reducing stress concentrations and enhancing the vehicle's ability to traverse challenging agricultural environments.
Implementation Method 1
The rotatable joint includes a pin and ball bearings that permits angular rotation of the torque rod about its torque rod bracket.
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible frame for a high clearance agricultural vehicle has left and right frame rails, an axle suspended beneath the frame rails, and a suspension system coupling the axle to the frame rails. Left and right vertical mounts are coupled to the frame rails. Upper and lower torque rods couple the axle to the vertical mounts with brackets. The suspension system also has a cross torque rod having a left end coupled to an inward facing bracket on the left vertical mount and a right end coupled to an inward facing bracket on the right vertical mount. Each of the upper, lower and cross torque rods are coupled to its respective torque rod brackets with rotatable joints. The rotatable joint permits angular rotation of the torque rod about its torque rod bracket.