Slider-to-Frame Construction with Wear Pads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural sprayer systems with adjustable track width and leg widening capabilities have complex assembly and maintenance requirements due to multiple components, including many grease fittings, which increase friction and reduce efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A slider-to-frame connection arrangement with reduced friction zones and ultra-high molecular weight slider wear pads, including fixed and movable pads, facilitates telescopic movement and reduces friction between slider legs and frame components, simplifying assembly and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple grease fittings and pad retainers are used to provide wear material at slider-to-frame interfaces, then sliding characteristics are improved, but device complexity and assembly/maintenance steps increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate wear pads (top, bottom, and strip-like pads) into a single integrated wear pad assembly that is retained by a single retainer component. This merging of previously separate components into one unified assembly directly reduces the number of parts while maintaining the comprehensive wear protection function across all slider-to-frame interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The single wear pad assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides wear material at top surfaces, bottom surfaces, and inwardly-facing surfaces of the frame slider receivers. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate wear pads for each surface, reducing component count while maintaining reliable sliding characteristics across all contact points.
2Reliability
If sixteen grease fittings are provided at leg widening joints, then sliding characteristics are improved, but ease of operation and maintenance deteriorate due to the large number of grease points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple grease fittings into a single grease fitting that serves all slider-to-frame interfaces. This merging eliminates the need for sixteen separate grease points, making maintenance significantly easier while continuing to provide reliable lubrication to all sliding surfaces through the unified grease distribution system.
3Reliability
If large slider wear pads are attached to both top and bottom surfaces of axle slider legs, then sliding characteristics are improved, but device complexity increases compared to simpler wear pad arrangements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates wear pad functionality for top surfaces, bottom surfaces, and inwardly-facing surfaces into a single unified wear pad assembly. This consolidation maintains comprehensive wear protection across all surfaces while simplifying the overall wear pad configuration from multiple separate pads to one integrated assembly.
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
The solution reduces friction and simplifies assembly and maintenance by using a slider-to-frame connection with reduced friction zones and ultra-high molecular weight wear pads, enhancing the efficiency and ease of operation of agricultural sprayers with adjustable track widths.
Implementation Method 1
wear slider pads made from low-friction materials have been provided at slider-to-frame sliding engagement interfaces
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural machine such as a high clearance sprayer is provided with a frame capable of supporting wheels at a variable tread width. The frame includes a pair of cross members, both of which have slider receivers. The machine also includes a first axle slider for a first side and a second axle slider for a second side. The machine may also have a slider to frame connection arrangement that includes a reduced friction zone at the slider receivers that facilitate telescopic movement of the axle sliders. The slider to frame connection may also have at least one fixed slider wear pad in a fixed position within the reduced friction zone and at least one movable slider wear pad movably arranged within the reduced friction zone.