Foldable Rail System for Agricultural Applicator Operator Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural product delivery systems lack an improved railing system for operator assistance, which is essential for safe and efficient movement around the applicator, particularly when loading and directing particulate materials like fertilizer, seed, or herbicide.

Innovation Solution

The system incorporates a rail system with foldable rail assemblies that can be rotated between down and up positions, featuring a first foldable rail with a shorter length and a second foldable rail with a longer length, both hinged to the sides of the bin, along with a ladder and extension rails for enhanced operator support and protection during operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional fixed railing system is used, then operator assistance is provided, but the rails are vulnerable to damage during applicator movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator safetyVSAvoidrail damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the rails foldable rather than fixed. The rails can be rotated between an extended position for operator assistance and a folded position for protection during movement. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt its structure based on operational needs, resolving the contradiction between providing operator support and preventing rail damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If longer rails are used to provide better operator support, then operator assistance is improved, but the rails become more vulnerable to damage during movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator assistanceVSAvoidrail damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The foldable rail design allows the rail length to be dynamically adjusted. When extended, the rails provide maximum length for operator assistance. When folded, the rails are retracted to minimize exposure to damage during movement. This dynamic length adjustment resolves the contradiction between needing long rails for operator support and avoiding damage during transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If foldable rails are implemented, then rail protection during movement is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverail damageVSAvoidrail system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the rail system into multiple foldable sections that can be independently rotated and positioned. Each section is connected through hinges or joints, allowing the rails to be segmented into protectable units. This segmentation reduces the complexity of protecting the entire rail system at once while still providing comprehensive protection when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If asymmetric rail lengths are used (first rail shorter than 50% of bin side length, second rail longer than 50% of bin side length), then operator assistance is optimized for specific positions, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator assistanceVSAvoidrail system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making each rail segment have different lengths optimized for specific locations on the bin. The first rail (less than 50% of bin side length) is optimized for one side while the second rail (greater than 50% of bin side length) is optimized for the other side. This localized optimization provides tailored operator assistance for each position without requiring a completely complex asymmetric design, as each segment's length is specifically matched to its functional requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 rail system provides improved operator assistance and safety by offering additional handrails and barriers, while also protecting the rails from damage during movement, allowing for efficient and safe handling of particulate materials.

Implementation Method 1

a pneumatic conveying system to provide an airflow... The product can move from a product bin through an interior passage provided by a series of elongate tubes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic conveying:

Implementation Method 2

The metering system meters product with the airflow to result in a mixed flow of airflow and product

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMixing:

Implementation Method 3

a first foldable rail rotatable between a first, down position and a first, up position... a second foldable rail rotatable between a second, down position and a second, up position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical rotation:

Data Source

PatentUS11608000B2Agricultural product delivery applicator with a plurality of movable rails

Publication Date: 2023.03.21 BLUE LEAF I P INC

AI summary

An agricultural product delivery applicator for delivering particulate product to a field. The applicator comprises a bin to hold the product, a pneumatic conveying system to provide an airflow, a metering system operably connected between the supply compartment and the pneumatic conveying system, and a rail system. The metering system meters product with the airflow to result in a mixed flow of airflow and product. The rail system includes first and second foldable rails.