Sprayer Boom Joint Arrangement for Obstacle Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing distributor linkage for agricultural machines experiences vibrations and failure to return to the intended position during extreme evasive movements and uneven terrain due to the joint arrangement with complementary joint elements that can jump apart or fall.
Innovation Solution
Designing one of the complementary joint elements as a closed ring-shaped element within which the spaced-apart joint elements are movable, and using a hydraulic spring device to maintain contact between these elements, ensuring controlled deflection and return to the starting position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the joint arrangement uses two complementary joint elements spaced apart that can move apart, then the evasive joint can achieve deflection and avoidance movement, but the joint elements may jump apart or fall during extreme evasive movements and uneven terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The joint element is divided into two complementary parts (first and second joint elements) that can separate and rejoin. This segmentation allows the joint to achieve evasive movement by separating the elements while maintaining the ability to return to a connected state, resolving the contradiction between movement capability and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The first joint element is designed with a receiving space that can accommodate the second joint element. When the joint returns to its normal position, the second element is received and held within the first element, ensuring reliable reconnection and preventing the elements from jumping apart or falling during extreme movements.
2Ease of operation
If the joint elements are spaced apart and movable, then the end section can deflect and avoid obstacles, but the joint arrangement fails to return to the intended position under vibration and uneven terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving space is pre-configured in the first joint element to guide and receive the second joint element. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures that when the evasive movement completes, the joint elements automatically return to their intended connected position without requiring additional control mechanisms, maintaining both deflection ease and position accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the joint arrangement allows extreme evasive movements, then the end section can avoid obstacles effectively, but the joint elements cannot maintain alignment and return to starting position
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving space structure acts as a cushioning mechanism that anticipates the return movement of the joint elements. During extreme evasive movements, this pre-configured space allows the elements to separate freely for obstacle avoidance, then guides them back into proper alignment and connection, maintaining joint arrangement integrity throughout the cycle.
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 prevents the joint elements from jumping apart or falling, ensuring secure alignment and controlled deflection, even under extreme conditions, allowing the end section to reliably return to its intended position.
Implementation Method 1
a spring device which generates a yielding spring force
Implementation Method 2
the spring device is designed as a hydraulic cylinder with an associated hydraulic accumulator
Implementation Method 3
the inner contour of the ring-shaped element, starting from the spaced contact areas of the joint elements arranged at a distance from one another in the non-deflection position, has two spaced-apart guideways
Data Source
Figure 1~10
Figure 2~8
Figure 4~6
AI summary
Distributor linkage for an agricultural spreading machine with several linkage sections (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) that can be folded in the transport position and unfolded in the working position, and with end sections (7, 8) arranged on each side of the distributor linkage by means of deflection joints (11) and about upright axes against a yielding spring force generating a spring device (16) in the forward and/or reverse direction relative to the direction of travel (15) in order to be able to deflect in the event of encountering obstacles, wherein the deflection joints (11) have two joint arrangements (12, 13) one above the other, wherein the first joint arrangement (12) is designed as a ball joint and the second joint arrangement (13) has two complementary joint elements (13.1, 13.2) spaced apart from each other in the direction of travel and movable apart.In order to create a reliably functioning joint arrangement for the evasive joints (11), it is provided that one of the complementary joint elements (13.1) is designed as a closed ring-shaped element, and that within this closed ring-shaped element the joint elements (13.2) of the complementary joint element (13) arranged at a distance from each other are arranged to be displaceable and/or movable.