Agricultural Hopper Conduit Orientation for Product Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

In agricultural planting implements, the rotation of row units from a working to a non-working position causes agricultural products to clump in the inlet conduit, leading to obstructions that interfere with product flow to the hopper assembly.

Innovation Solution

A product delivery conduit with an angled outlet segment that is oriented vertically during the working position to fill with product and downwardly during the non-working position to prevent backflow into the inlet conduit, ensuring all product flows into the hopper storage area, thereby preventing obstructions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the row unit rotates from working position to non-working position, then the agricultural product flows through the product delivery conduit to the inlet conduit, but the agricultural product clumps within the inlet conduit forming obstructions that interfere with product flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct flow to hopperVSAvoidproduct flow obstruction

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet segment is inverted in orientation during non-working position, with the outlet positioned above the storage area and the segment oriented downwardly. This inversion prevents product from flowing back into the inlet conduit by using gravity to direct product into the storage area instead of allowing it to clump in the inlet conduit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of gravity-driven product flow during rotation into a beneficial effect by orienting the outlet segment downwardly during non-working position. The same gravitational force that causes clumping is redirected to properly channel product into the storage area, preventing obstruction formation.

Inventive Principle:

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

2Ease of operation

If the outlet segment is oriented vertically during working position to enable product to fill the segment, then product flow to storage area is enabled, but during non-working position product may flow back into inlet conduit causing clumping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct filling of outlet segmentVSAvoidproduct clumping and obstruction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet segment dynamically changes its orientation based on the hopper assembly position. During working position, it is substantially vertical to enable product filling. During non-working position, it rotates to orient downwardly with the outlet above the storage area. This dynamic adaptation eliminates product clumping while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the orientation parameter of the outlet segment based on operational state. By rotating the segment from vertical during working position to downwardly oriented during non-working position, the system adapts to prevent harmful product clumping while maintaining proper product flow functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration ensures that all agricultural products flow into the storage area during rotation, reducing the likelihood of obstructions in the inlet conduit and maintaining uninterrupted product flow to the hopper assembly.

Implementation Method 1

As the row unit(s) rotate in the forward direction, gravity drives the agricultural product to move within the respective agricultural product hopper assembly/assemblies

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS11839174B2Product delivery conduit for an agricultural product hopper assembly

Publication Date: 2023.12.12 BLUE LEAF I P INC

AI summary

A product delivery conduit for an agricultural product hopper assembly includes an inlet segment and an outlet segment. The inlet segment is configured to receive agricultural product from an inlet conduit, the outlet segment is configured to output the agricultural product to a storage area within a hopper of the agricultural product hopper assembly, the outlet segment is configured to be oriented substantially vertically while the agricultural product hopper assembly is in a working position, the inlet segment and the outlet segment are configured to position an outlet of the product delivery conduit above the storage area while the agricultural product hopper assembly is in a non-working position, and the outlet segment is configured to be oriented downwardly while the agricultural product hopper assembly is in the non-working position to enable the agricultural product to flow into the storage area.