Agricultural Sprayer Breakaway Boom Hinge Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boom assemblies for agricultural sprayers lack a breakaway mechanism that securely holds inner and outer boom extensions together while allowing the outer section to move away from obstructions during travel, leading to potential damage and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A breakaway hinge system with angled pivot members and a biasing element allows the outer boom section to pivot upward and rearward or forward, depending on the vehicle's direction, to clear obstructions, while maintaining alignment through height adjustment mechanisms, and a biasing element returns the boom to its normal position after clearing the obstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the boom length is extended to increase spraying area, then the spraying efficiency is improved, but the boom becomes more susceptible to damage from obstructions and ground irregularities
Solution Approach 1:
The boom is divided into inner and outer sections that can move independently. The outer section is segmented from the inner section, allowing it to pivot and break away from obstructions while the inner section remains stable. This segmentation enables the long boom to maintain productivity while protecting against damage by isolating the vulnerable outer portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The boom transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system with movable outer sections. The outer boom section can pivot and move relative to the inner section in response to obstructions or ground irregularities, allowing the boom to adapt to changing conditions and avoid damage while maintaining extended reach for efficient spraying.
2Manufacturing precision
If the boom is made rigid to maintain stability during spraying, then the spraying precision is improved, but the boom cannot adapt to obstructions or ground irregularities
Solution Approach 1:
The boom is segmented into stable inner sections for precision spraying and movable outer sections for adaptability. This segmentation allows different parts of the boom to fulfill different functions - the inner sections maintain rigidity for accurate chemical application while the outer sections provide flexibility to navigate obstructions and terrain variations.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the boom have different properties - the inner sections are rigid and stable for precision, while the outer sections are movable and flexible for adaptability. This local differentiation of mechanical properties allows the boom to simultaneously achieve spraying precision and obstruction adaptability in different locations.
3Reliability
If a breakaway mechanism is added to allow the outer boom to move away from obstructions, then the damage resistance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The breakaway mechanism uses simple dynamic elements - pivot members and connecting members - that allow the outer boom section to move freely when needed. The mechanism relies on basic mechanical principles rather than complex control systems, achieving damage resistance through straightforward movable connections that can pivot and return to position.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism changes the mechanical parameters of the boom system by introducing controlled degrees of freedom. The pivot members allow angular movement when obstructions are encountered, and the biasing element controls the return motion. These parameter changes enable damage resistance through simple mechanical motion rather than complex active control.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the outer boom section is allowed to pivot freely to clear obstructions, then the adaptability is improved, but the boom alignment and stability during normal operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing element acts as a counteracting force mechanism that holds the outer boom section in its normal aligned position during stable operation. This biasing force counteracts any small disturbances and maintains boom alignment and stability during normal spraying, while still allowing the section to pivot freely when significant obstructions are encountered.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically balances stability and adaptability - during normal operation, the biasing element maintains stable alignment, but when obstructions are encountered, the outer section can pivot freely to clear the obstruction. The same mechanical connections that provide stability through biasing also enable adaptability when forces exceed the biasing element's restoring capability.
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 breakaway hinge system effectively prevents damage by allowing the boom to move away from obstacles, reducing downtime and operator intervention, while maintaining efficient spraying operations by ensuring consistent boom alignment and stability.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing element is provided for holding the inner and the outer sections together in a normal state position. When the second section encounters the obstruction and moves upward and away from the obstruction, the biasing element urges the second section back to the normal state position as the obstruction is cleared.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, there is provided a breakaway hinge for an expandable boom on an agricultural vehicle. The boom includes of a first and a second section combined in a manner to allow the second section to move with respect to the first section when the second section encounters an obstruction. A breakaway hinge is provided between the first and the second section, and includes a first pivot member attached to the first section at an angle α with respect to a vertical line and a second pivot member attached to the second section at an angle θ with respect to the vertical line. A connecting member holds the first pivot member with respect to the second pivot member.