Pivoting Mounting Bracket for Agricultural Row Unit Chassis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural seed planters face issues with debris interference, leading to uneven seed placement and fertilizer distribution due to debris caught between the chassis and the ground, causing operational inefficiencies and yield reduction.
Innovation Solution
A mounting bracket for agricultural row units that provides a pivotable connection between the body and chassis, positioned on the upper side of the chassis to maintain ground clearance and allow wheels to remain in contact with the ground, enabling smooth operation over debris and uneven terrain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the chassis is positioned close to the ground for stable seed and fertilizer placement, then planting precision is improved, but debris is easily caught between the chassis and ground causing operational disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The chassis is made pivotally movable relative to the planter body through a bracket connection, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. This enables the chassis to maintain close ground contact for precise seed and fertilizer placement while automatically lifting over debris obstacles, resolving the contradiction between planting precision and operational reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotal connection anticipates debris encounters by allowing the chassis to preemptively lift and pivot away from the ground before debris can be caught. This preliminary anti-action prevents debris entrapment while maintaining the ability to achieve precise placement when the ground is clear
2Stability of the object's composition
If the mounting bracket is positioned on the lower side of the chassis, then structural stability is improved, but ground clearance is reduced allowing debris to be caught
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is repositioned from the lower side to the upper side of the chassis, utilizing a different spatial dimension. This upper-side positioning maintains structural stability through the pivotal connection while automatically providing ground clearance as the chassis pivots upward over debris, eliminating the harmful effect of debris entrapment
3Strength
If the chassis is fixed rigidly to the body for stable operation, then structural strength is improved, but the ability to navigate over debris is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid fixed connection is replaced with a pivotal dynamic connection through the mounting bracket. This maintains structural strength during normal operation while enabling the chassis to adapt its position by pivoting over debris and uneven terrain, simultaneously achieving structural integrity and terrain adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
A row unit for an agricultural planter is provided. The row unit may include a body operably coupled to the agricultural planter, a bracket secured to the body, and a chassis pivotably coupled to the bracket. The bracket may include a top wall and opposing sidewalls extending downwardly from the top wall. The chassis may be coupled to the bracket beneath the top wall of the bracket.