Agricultural Sprayer Height Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-clearance agricultural sprayers face difficulties in refilling their tanks due to the elevated height of the tank being above standard refilling equipment, requiring specialized equipment and complicating the process.
Innovation Solution
A suspension system with a height adjustment mechanism, utilizing a strut and actuator to rotate the frame of the sprayer between raised and lowered positions, allowing for refilling without specialized equipment by lowering the tank to a accessible height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the sprayer uses a high-ground clearance design to accommodate tall crops, then the frame height is increased to pass above crops, but the tank height becomes above refilling equipment height, making refilling difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the frame height adjustable rather than fixed. The suspension system allows the frame to be positioned in multiple height configurations - a raised position for passing over tall crops and a lowered position for accessible refilling. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by enabling the frame to adapt its height based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the frame height parameter. The suspension system enables the frame height to vary between a first height (raised position) suitable for high-clearance crop passage and a second height (lowered position) that aligns with standard refilling equipment, thus resolving the accessibility issue without compromising crop clearance capability.
2Productivity
If the tank is positioned at a fixed high height for crop clearance, then ground clearance is improved, but refilling requires specialized equipment and increases operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system provides dynamic height adjustment capability, allowing the frame and tank to move between raised and lowered positions. This eliminates the need for specialized refilling equipment by enabling the tank to be positioned at standard refilling heights, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining crop clearance productivity when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension system serves multiple functions: it maintains ground clearance for crop passage during spraying operations and enables accessible refilling during fueling operations. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by allowing a single system to accommodate both high-clearance requirements and standard refilling procedures without requiring specialized equipment.
3Ease of operation
If the frame height is lowered to enable refilling with standard equipment, then refilling accessibility is improved, but ground clearance for tall crops is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system enables dynamic adjustment of frame height, allowing operators to lower the frame for refilling operations and raise it for crop passage. This resolves the contradiction by making frame height adaptable - the frame can be temporarily lowered to improve refilling accessibility without permanently compromising ground clearance capability for tall crops.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension system enables periodic alternation between raised and lowered frame positions based on operational needs. The frame is raised during spraying operations to clear tall crops, then lowered during refilling operations for accessibility, and raised again for continued spraying. This periodic adjustment resolves the contradiction by timing height changes to match operational requirements.
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
Enables easy refilling of the sprayer tank using standard equipment, such as an auger, without adjusting plumbing, improving operational efficiency and convenience during filling operations.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator is configured to drive rotation of the link about the pivot axis to control a height of the frame above a ground plane
Implementation Method 2
a second end of the strut is coupled to a coil spring
Implementation Method 3
The pivot is configured to enable rotation of the link about a pivot axis
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension system includes a strut coupled to an agricultural vehicle suspension system, a frame coupled to the suspension system, and a height adjustment mechanism coupled to the strut. The height adjustment mechanism is configured to transition the strut between a raised position, in which a frame height is at a first position, and a lowered position, in which the frame height is at a second position. The first position is higher than the second position relative to a surface of an agricultural field.