Hydrostatic Hose Bulkhead Connection for Agricultural Applicators
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Self-propelled agricultural product applicators face challenges in routing hydrostatic drive hoses efficiently, particularly in accommodating various movements while maintaining short and direct hose runs, avoiding interference with mechanisms and crops, and preventing hose twisting and tangling.
Innovation Solution
A drive hose bulkhead connection system that constrains hose segments to move primarily in one direction, isolating horizontal and vertical movements, and includes a pivotable segment for steerable wheels to accommodate turning motions, ensuring fluid communication between hydraulic sources and propulsion motors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If long hoses routed in large loops are used to accommodate various motions, then the hoses can accommodate suspension movement and track-width adjustment, but the hose runs become long and complex, increasing interference with mechanisms and crops
Solution Approach 1:
The hose arrangement is divided into multiple segments: a first hose segment connected to the frame, a bulkhead connection arrangement mounted on the movable axle member, and a second hose segment connected to the propulsion motor. This segmentation allows each segment to be optimized for specific movements, reducing the need for long continuous hoses with large loops.
Solution Approach 2:
The bulkhead connection arrangement acts as an intermediary element mounted on the movable axle member between the frame and the propulsion motor. It provides a connection point that moves with the axle member horizontally while maintaining separate hose segments, eliminating the need for long hoses to accommodate all movements simultaneously.
2Length of moving object
If hoses are routed directly and kept short, then hose runs are efficient and interference is minimized, but the hoses cannot accommodate the various movements of suspension and track-width adjustment systems
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the hose arrangement at the bulkhead connection arrangement mounted on the movable axle member, the system allows short direct hose segments while the bulkhead connection itself accommodates the horizontal movement of the axle member during track-width adjustment, eliminating the need for long hoses.
Solution Approach 2:
The bulkhead connection arrangement is dynamically mounted on the movable axle member, allowing it to move horizontally with the axle during track-width adjustment. This dynamic positioning enables short hose segments to remain effective while accommodating the necessary movements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hoses are made flexible to accommodate movements, then they can move with suspension and steering, but they become prone to twisting and tangling
Solution Approach 1:
Segmenting the hose arrangement at the bulkhead connection reduces the length of flexible hose segments, thereby reducing their tendency to twist and tangle while still allowing necessary movements through the bulkhead connection point.
Solution Approach 2:
The bulkhead connection arrangement serves as a stable intermediary mounting point on the movable axle member that provides a fixed reference point for the hose segments, preventing twisting and tangling by anchoring the hose arrangement at a point that moves predictably with the axle member.
4Adaptability or versatility
If bulkhead connection arrangement is mounted on movable axle member, then horizontal and vertical movements are isolated, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation of the hose arrangement at the bulkhead connection arrangement mounted on the movable axle member creates natural isolation between horizontal movements (accommodated by axle member movement) and vertical movements (accommodated by suspension), achieving movement isolation through the segmented structure rather than complex additional components.
Data Source
AI summary
A ground drive hose routing system and method for a self-propelled agricultural product applicator utilize drive hose bulkhead connection arrangements mounted on transversely movable axle members to define segments of a hose arrangement that are constrained to lie and move primarily in only one direction, to isolate horizontal hose movement related to track-width adjustment from vertical hose movement resulting from action of suspension members. For steerable wheels, an additional pivotable segment is utilized in conjunction with the drive hose bulkhead connection arrangements to accommodate turning motion while maintaining isolation between other primarily horizontally and vertically constrained movable segments of the hose arrangement.