Rotatable Manifold Regulator for Work Vehicle Commodity Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Seeding work vehicles face challenges with bulky and difficult-to-package delivery systems that require multiple runs for different commodity delivery paths, along with issues in sealing and selecting between configurations, which complicates the delivery of seed, fertilizer, or other particulate commodities to the soil.
Innovation Solution
A work vehicle equipped with a delivery system featuring a rotatable manifold regulator that selectively changes the delivery path between multiple run structures, allowing for compact organization and efficient sealing, enabling the distribution of commodities to various row units while maintaining a low part count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple run structures are included to provide different delivery paths for the commodity, then the delivery system can serve multiple row units, but the delivery system becomes bulky and difficult to package
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple run structures are merged into a single integrated manifold assembly. The first and second run structures share a common manifold body with a single commodity source inlet, allowing multiple delivery paths to be combined in one compact unit rather than requiring separate systems for each run.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold regulator body serves multiple functions: it acts as a common inlet for the commodity source, provides rotatable positioning to select between different run structures, and integrates sealing mechanisms for multiple passages. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the delivery system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple run structures are included to provide different delivery paths, then the delivery system can serve multiple row units, but sealing the delivery system becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold regulator body is nested within the manifold assembly, with the rotatable body containing internal passages that align with the run structures. This nested configuration allows sealing surfaces to be integrated within the regulator body itself, reducing the number of external sealing interfaces required.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sealing mechanisms are applied to different passages within the manifold. The first and second run passages have dedicated sealing arrangements within the regulator body that can be independently configured, allowing optimized sealing for each delivery path while maintaining overall system reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple run structures are included to provide different delivery paths, then the delivery system can serve multiple row units, but selecting between different runs becomes cumbersome and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold regulator body is designed to be rotatable about a rotation axis, allowing dynamic reconfiguration between different delivery paths. This rotational mechanism enables quick switching between the first and second run structures by simply rotating the body to align the appropriate outlet with the desired run passage, eliminating the need for manual disassembly or complex valve operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A work vehicle includes a delivery system that distributes commodity from the source between a plurality of delivery runs. The delivery system includes at least one commodity manifold. The commodity manifold includes a first run structure with a first run passage, a second run with a second run passage, and a manifold regulator with a body that is rotatable about a rotation axis between a first position and a second position. The body at least partly defines a channel configured to receive and distribute the commodity. The channel has an inlet and an outlet. The outlet is in communication with the first run passage and disconnected from the second run passage in the first position. The outlet is in communication with the second run passage and disconnected from the first run passage in the second position.