Frangible Connector for Agricultural Meter Module Control Rods
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Solution Overview
Problem
In agricultural air carts, the control links between meter modules and control rods can break due to excessive force when obstructed, leading to time-consuming repairs and potential damage to other links during replacement.
Innovation Solution
A connector with a frangible portion at the connection interface between the control rod and gate control link, which breaks under a controlled breaking force, allowing for easy uncoupling and replacement without tools, protecting the gate and control rod from damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the control link is rigidly connected to the control rod by a threaded shoulder bolt, then the gate is protected from breaking, but the replacement time increases to 30 minutes or more
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into a control rod portion, a control link portion, and a frangible portion. This segmentation allows the frangible portion to break and release the connection quickly when needed, enabling rapid replacement of the connector without requiring time-consuming unthreading of shoulder bolts, thus resolving the contradiction between gate protection and quick replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The frangible portion is designed as a disposable sacrificial element that breaks under excessive force to protect the gate. Instead of replacing the entire rigidly connected assembly, only the broken connector needs replacement, significantly reducing replacement time while maintaining gate protection through the controlled breaking mechanism.
2Reliability
If the control link acts as a breaking point to protect the gate, then the gate is protected from breakage, but all control links must be uncoupled to replace a broken one
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into distinct portions (control rod portion, control link portion, frangible portion), allowing the frangible portion to break and release the connection independently. This enables replacement of only the broken connector without requiring uncoupling of all control links from the control rod, simplifying the replacement operation while maintaining gate protection.
3Ease of operation
If excessive force is applied to the control rod to free obstruction, then the gate may be freed, but the control link and gate can break due to shear force
Solution Approach 1:
The frangible portion is pre-positioned as a sacrificial element that will break before the control link or gate can be damaged by excessive force. This beforehand cushioning allows operators to apply force to free obstructions without risking damage to critical components, as the frangible portion will fail first to protect the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The frangible portion serves as a disposable protective element that breaks under excessive force to save the more valuable control link and gate. This allows operators to safely apply force to clear obstructions knowing that the frangible portion will sacrifice itself to prevent damage to critical components.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural vehicle includes a chassis, a tank carried by the chassis, and at least one meter module coupled to the tank. The at least one meter module has at least one gate. A gate control link is coupled with the at least one gate of the at least one meter module. A control rod is carried by the chassis. A connector couples the control rod to the gate control link at a connection interface such that movement of the control rod controls an open state of the at least one gate of the at least one meter module. The connector has a frangible portion adjacent the connection interface; the control rod and the gate control link uncouples from one another upon a breaking force causing the frangible portion to break.