Sprayer Boom Retractable Arm Pneumatic Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large sprayer systems used in agriculture and manufacturing face challenges in maneuvering and transporting due to their size and wide wingspan, particularly with boom assemblies that extend outwardly, making them cumbersome for storage and movement.
Innovation Solution
A retractable drop apparatus with a foldable arm mechanism, actuated by air pressure, which allows the boom segments to fold and unfold, reducing the overall width for easier transport and storage, while maintaining effective fluid application capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If boom assemblies are extended outwardly to cover wide geographical areas, then fluid distribution capability is improved, but maneuverability and transportability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The boom assembly is designed with retractable drop apparatuses that can dynamically change position between extended and retracted states. The arm segments can be selectively folded and unfolded to adapt the boom's configuration, allowing it to cover wide areas during operation while being compact for transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The drop apparatus is divided into multiple arm segments (first arm segment, second arm segment) connected by hinge joints. This segmentation allows each segment to be independently folded and reconfigured, enabling the boom to maintain large coverage area when needed while reducing overall width for maneuvering and storage.
2Area of stationary object
If boom assemblies are extended outwardly to cover wide geographical areas, then fluid distribution capability is improved, but transportability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retractable drop apparatus enables the boom to dynamically adjust its configuration. During fluid distribution, the arm segments are extended to maximize coverage area. During transport, the same segments are folded back to minimize the volume occupied, allowing the system to optimize for different operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-segment arm structure allows inner segments to be folded within or alongside outer segments, creating a compact nested configuration during transport. This nesting reduces the overall volume of the boom assembly when not in use, while maintaining full extension capability when needed for fluid distribution.
3Ease of operation
If retractable arm mechanism is added to enable folding, then maneuverability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation assembly uses pneumatic elements (air hose, air pressure) to control the folding and unfolding of arm segments. This pneumatic system provides simple, reliable actuation for the hinge joints, enabling easy maneuverability without complex mechanical linkages or multiple actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge joints are designed to allow selective folding and unfolding of arm segments. This dynamic capability enables the boom to transition between extended and retracted configurations, improving maneuverability while the modular joint design keeps the overall structural complexity manageable.
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 retractable arm mechanism enables more efficient maneuvering, storage, and transport of sprayer systems by compacting the boom assembly, while ensuring continuous and effective fluid application to agricultural crops or industrial surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
an actuation assembly coupled to the retractable arm to selectively fold and unfold the first arm segment relative to the boom at the first hinge joint and the second arm segment relative to the first arm segment at the second hinge joint based on air pressure from the air source
Implementation Method 2
the air hose, upon being pressurized by the air source, is configured to stiffen such that the first arm segment is unfolded relative the boom at the first hinge joint and the second arm segment is unfolded relative to the first arm segment at the second hinge joint
Data Source
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AI summary
A sprayer system (110) for a work machine (100) is disclosed. The sprayer system (110) comprising: a boom (132, 134), a tank (112), an air source (140), a spray device (120) configured to selectively apply a fluid from the tank (112) to an agricultural crop; and a drop apparatus (170) comprising: a retractable arm (300) with a first end coupled to the boom (132, 134) and a second end coupled to the spray device (120), the retractable arm (300) including a first arm segment (310), a second arm segment (330), a first hinge joint (320) positioned in between the first arm segment (310) and the boom (132, 134) such that the first arm segment (310) is selectively foldable relative to the boom (132, 134), and a second hinge joint (340) positioned in between the first arm segment (310) and the second arm segment (330) such that the second arm segment (330) is selectively foldable relative to the first arm segment (310); and an actuation assembly (400) coupled to the retractable arm (300) to selectively fold and unfold the first arm segment (310) relative to the boom (132, 134) at the first hinge joint (320) and the second arm segment (330) relative to the first arm segment (310) at the second hinge joint (340) based on air pressure from the air source (140).