Folding Toolbar Pneumatic Manifold with Flexible Bellows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional folding agricultural toolbars with pneumatic seed metering systems are cluttered with external hoses and air lines, which are prone to damage, wear, and affect appearance, and internal manifolds are not feasible due to open hinge joints.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic system utilizing a flexible bellows or coupler at the hinge juncture of the center and wing sections of a folding toolbar forms an internal air manifold, eliminating external hoses and allowing air flow through the tubular center and wing sections to the seed metering devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If external pneumatic hoses are used to connect the air pump to the toolbar sections, then the system can be assembled easily, but the hoses are prone to damage and wear, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the external pneumatic hoses from the system entirely. Instead, it uses the hollow toolbar sections themselves as air manifolds to distribute pneumatic pressure to the seed metering devices, eliminating the component that causes reliability issues while maintaining the pneumatic distribution function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the structural function of the toolbar with the pneumatic distribution function. The hollow toolbar sections serve dual purposes: providing structural support and acting as air manifolds to distribute pneumatic pressure to multiple seed metering devices, thereby eliminating the need for separate external hoses
2Ease of manufacture
If external pneumatic hoses are used, then the system can be installed quickly, but the hoses create clutter and affect appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the air manifold function into the toolbar structure itself. The hollow sections of the toolbar serve as both structural components and pneumatic distribution channels, eliminating the need for separate external hoses and reducing visual clutter while maintaining installation simplicity
3Device complexity
If an internal manifold is used in a fixed toolbar, then external hoses are eliminated, but the open hinge joint in folding toolbars prevents this solution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the pneumatic connection dynamic by using flexible bellows at the hinge joints. These bellows can expand and contract, maintaining sealed pneumatic connections between toolbar sections as they fold and unfold, thereby enabling both the internal manifold configuration and the folding capability
4Reliability
If flexible bellows are installed at hinge joints to create internal manifolds, then external hoses are eliminated and reliability improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the bellows component: it serves as both the flexible connection element that enables folding and as part of the sealed pneumatic manifold system. This integration eliminates external hoses and improves reliability while concentrating the manufacturing complexity into a single standardized component
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 simplifies the pneumatic system, reduces manufacturing costs, and enhances durability by creating a clutter-free, internal air manifold that maintains air pressure for seed metering, facilitating easier operation and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
A flexible bellows or a coupler is provided at the pivotal juncture of the center section and each wing section to provide air flow between the sections
Implementation Method 2
Pneumatic metering can use either positive or negative air pressure. Conventional folding toolbars which have outer tubular wing sections which pivot between a folded transport position and an unfolded use position
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatic manifold is provided for a folding toolbar for use with seed planters having pneumatic seed metering devices. The manifold is formed within the tubular center section and opposite folding wings of the toolbar. A flexible coupler is provided at each wing hinge juncture to provide air flow through the toolbar wings and the center section, while allowing the toolbar to fold and unfold between the transport and field positions.