Rigid Pipe Manure Distributor Arm Wear Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing liquid manure spreader systems experience significant wear and tear due to the use of flexible hoses in the fluid connection system, which are subjected to constant stress and pressure during pivoting movements, necessitating regular checks and replacements.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of rigid pipes as part of the fluid connection system between the liquid manure tank and distribution tank, which serve both as a support structure and a means of transporting liquid manure, eliminating the need for flexible hoses and reducing wear and tear, while also allowing for increased spreader arm width by adding additional pivotable arms and nozzles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If flexible hoses are used in the fluid connection system to enable pivoting movements of distributor arms, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to constant wear and tear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of pivotingVSAvoidwear resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the support structure function and fluid transport function into a single rigid component. The rigid pipe serves both as the structural support for the distributor arm and as the fluid connection system for transporting liquid manure, eliminating the need for separate flexible hoses and thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of pivoting and wear resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rigid pipe performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the distributor arm, serves as the fluid connection system for manure transport, and acts as a mounting structure for nozzles. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate flexible hoses, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If rigid pipes are used instead of flexible hoses in the fluid connection system, then reliability is improved by eliminating wear and tear, but ease of operation deteriorates due to restricted pivoting movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidease of pivoting
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the support structure and fluid transport into a single rigid component designed to pivot. The rigid pipe is integrated into the distributor arm structure, allowing the entire assembly to pivot as one unit while maintaining the reliability benefits of rigid construction throughout the fluid connection system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rigid pipe structure is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The entire rigid pipe assembly pivots as part of the distributor arm mechanism, enabling movement while maintaining the structural integrity and wear resistance of rigid construction. This resolves the contradiction by making the rigid system dynamically capable of pivoting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the spreader arm width is increased to cover more arable land, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional arms and fluid connections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespreading widthVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple distributor arms into a single integrated rigid structure with unified fluid transport. Instead of separate arms with individual flexible hoses, the rigid pipe system integrates fluid transport across multiple arms, reducing the number of connection points and simplifying the overall system while maintaining wide coverage capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rigid pipe structure serves as both the support framework and the fluid transport system across all distributor arms. This universal dual-functionality eliminates the need for separate flexible hose connections at each arm junction, reducing system complexity while enabling extended spreader arm width for increased productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design reduces the wear and tear on the fluid connection system, lowers costs, and allows for a wider spread of liquid manure coverage without the need for frequent hose replacements, enhancing the durability and efficiency of the distribution process.

Implementation Method 1

By designing the swiveling distributor arms with at least one rigid pipe, which forms part of the fluid connection system between the liquid manure tank and liquid manure distribution tank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow through rigid conduit:

Implementation Method 2

The outlets (18) are connected to nozzles (21) via flexible hose connections (23). The distributor arms (4, 5, 6, 7) are expediently dimensioned in such a way that, together in the deployment position, they have a length transverse to the direction of travel of at least 10 m

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew conveyor mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP3017698B1Liquid manure distributor
Publication Date: 2017.12.20 FLIEGL AGRARTECHN GMBH
  • EP3017698B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3017698B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3017698B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The slurry spreader comprises a slurry tanker (1) and a slurry spreading system (3) with a) at least one first and one second pivotable spreader arm (4, 5), wherein the two spreader arms are pivotable from a transport position parallel to the direction of travel to a slurry spreading position transverse to the direction of travel; b) wherein the spreader arms each have a support frame made of several struts on which slurry spreading containers (16, 17) are held, each having at least one inlet and a plurality of outlets (18); c) a plurality of slurry outlet openings (22) for spreading the slurry, which are connected to the outlets (18) of the slurry spreading containers (16, 17); and d) a fluid connection system for transporting the slurry (1) between the slurry tanker and the slurry outlet openings (22).wherein at least one strut of each support frame is designed as a rigid pipe and forms part of the fluid connection system between the slurry tank (1) and the slurry distribution tank (16, 17) and serves to transport the slurry.