Sprayer Boom Damping via Linked Spring Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing field sprayer boom systems suffer damage during extreme steering movements, braking, or acceleration due to uneven loading and guidance of linkage halves, which leads to costly damage to the suspension and boom.
Innovation Solution
A first prestressed spring damper connects both linkage halves as a unit, allowing independent yielding and additional support via additional spring dampers, enabling the boom halves to pivot about a common axis, with adjustable damping for optimal load distribution and uniform movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the two boom halves are connected to pivot about their axes independently, then the construction cost is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but during extreme steering movements or braking/acceleration, one half swings forward damped while the other half pivots backward extremely braked and then forward extremely accelerated, causing damage to the sprayer boom suspension and boom
Solution Approach 1:
The patent connects the two linkage halves together at their free ends to form a unified structure. This merging allows the halves to move in a coordinated manner rather than independently, preventing the extreme relative movements that cause damage while maintaining the cost-effective design of using two separate halves
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spring element between the two linkage halves that acts as a cushion. This spring absorbs and dampens the extreme forces and movements that occur during harsh braking, acceleration, or tight cornering, preventing damage to the suspension and boom while allowing the independent pivoting motion
2Strength
If the linkage halves are guided to move in opposite directions during steering, then the boom can be relieved during normal operation, but during extreme steering movements or tight cornering with braking/acceleration, the opposing guidance causes extreme braking and acceleration of one half leading to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element connected between the two linkage halves provides beforehand cushioning by absorbing and dampening extreme forces. During normal operation, the halves can move independently to relieve loads, but during extreme maneuvers, the spring prevents damaging forces by cushioning the opposing movements
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 effectively dampens the sprayer boom as a unit during overloads and extreme steering, reducing the risk of damage and ensuring uniform lateral spray distribution, while allowing for a more cost-effective construction and adjustable damping for varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring damper (12), which connects both linkage halves (6, 7) in a prestressed manner so that they form a unit
Implementation Method 2
spray boom (3) with two boom halves (6, 7), in which the two boom halves (6, 7) are connected to one another in such a way that when one boom half pivots about its axis of rotation, the other boom half is carried along in the opposite direction about its axis of rotation
Data Source
AI summary
The field sprayer (1) has a liquid container (2) and a spraying linkage (3) with two linkage units (6,7). A pendulum system (4) is connected over the spraying linkage. A lifting system (5) is connected with a frame (17), and is horizontally pivoted around axis (8,9) of the linkage units. A spring damper (11) is engaged at an arm (10) spaced at the distance from the linkage units. The two linkage units are supported against each other over the arm through an additional spring damper (15) with respect to the lifting system.