Irrigation Span Alignment Linkage That Ignores Torsional Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile irrigation systems face inaccuracies in lateral alignment due to vertical and torsional movements between adjacent spans, leading to unnecessary activation of drive motors for correction.
Innovation Solution
An alignment system that accommodates three degrees of freedom between spans, specifically tracking lateral pivoting while ignoring torsional rotation and vertical pivoting, using a linkage system with a driven arm, drive arm, control arm, and biasing element to determine accurate lateral alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the alignment system monitors all movements between adjacent spans, then it can detect misalignment, but it produces false or inaccurate misalignment signals due to vertical and torsional movements
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment system is segmented into independent measurement components: a lateral alignment sensor that measures only lateral displacement between spans, and separate mechanisms that independently accommodate vertical and torsional movements. This segmentation allows the system to isolate and measure lateral misalignment without interference from other movement types, resolving the contradiction between comprehensive monitoring and measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and isolates the lateral alignment measurement function from the other movement measurements. By using a sensor that specifically measures lateral displacement while separate degrees of freedom handle vertical and torsional movements, the system removes the harmful interference of unrelated movements from the alignment measurement, thereby improving both measurement precision and signal reliability.
2Reliability
If the alignment system activates drive motors to correct misalignment, then it maintains lateral alignment, but it consumes excessive energy due to correction of false misalignment signals
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented to respond only to lateral misalignment signals from the dedicated lateral sensor, while being isolated from signals related to vertical and torsional movements. This segmentation prevents unnecessary activation of drive motors for correcting false misalignment signals, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable lateral alignment control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the lateral alignment sensor to control drive motor activation. By providing accurate feedback that distinguishes true lateral misalignment from vertical and torsional movements, the system activates motors only when necessary for actual alignment correction, minimizing energy consumption while maintaining alignment reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the joints allow vertical and torsional freedom to accommodate uneven terrain, then the system adapts to terrain variations, but lateral alignment measurements become inaccurate due to these movements
Solution Approach 1:
The joint structure is segmented into independent degrees of freedom: vertical movement is accommodated separately from lateral alignment measurement, and torsional rotation is isolated from lateral measurement. This segmentation allows the joint to adapt to uneven terrain through vertical and torsional movements while the lateral alignment sensor remains unaffected, maintaining measurement precision alongside terrain adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system resolves the conflict by measuring lateral alignment in a different dimensional context - using a sensor that specifically detects lateral displacement while the joint independently handles vertical and torsional dimensions. This dimensional separation allows terrain adaptation in vertical and torsional dimensions without compromising lateral alignment measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile irrigation alignment system comprising a base mounted on a first span, a linkage system, and a control system. The linkage system includes a driven arm, drive arm, and control arm. The driven arm is pivotably connected to the base about a vertical axis. The drive arm is pivotably connected to the driven arm about a horizontal axis and includes a distal end configured to rest on an adjacent span. The control arm is linked to the driven arm. The control system determines lateral alignment between the spans based on the control arm as governed by the drive arm and driven arm. The drive arm is configured to retain an upright orientation relative to the driven arm regardless of torsional rotation between the spans so that the position of the control arm and hence the lateral alignment determination is not affected by the torsional rotation between the spans.