Swing Pipe Toolbar Support Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional swing pipes used for manure application are limited by their cantilevered design, which restricts upward/downward mobility, imposes high bending stresses on the toolbar, and results in shorter pipe lengths due to these stresses.

Innovation Solution

A swing pipe assembly with one end pinned to a toolbar tower and the other end supported by a roller or wheel, allowing pivotal movement about both horizontal and vertical axes, reducing stress and enabling longer lengths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the swing pipe is cantilevered off the tool bar, then the swing pipe can be supported by the tool bar, but the swing pipe is limited in upward/downward mobility and subjected to high bending stresses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebending stress resistanceVSAvoidupward/downward mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support function is segmented between two independent elements: the tool bar provides horizontal support while the roller provides vertical support. This segmentation allows the swing pipe to move vertically over the roller while remaining horizontally supported by the tool bar, resolving the contradiction between mobility and stress resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The roller acts as an intermediary element between the swing pipe and the ground. It mediates the vertical support function, allowing the pipe to pivot upward and downward freely while the tool bar mediates only the horizontal support, thus eliminating bending stresses while preserving mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the swing pipe is cantilevered off the tool bar, then the connection is simple, but the swing pipe and tool bar are prone to large bending loads and high stresses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection simplicityVSAvoidbending stress

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The support functions are segmented between the tool bar (horizontal support) and the roller (vertical support). This segmentation eliminates bending moments at the tool bar connection while adding only a simple roller support element, thus reducing stress without significantly increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If the swing pipe is cantilevered off the tool bar, then the structure is simple, but the pipe length is limited due to bending stresses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidpipe length

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the support functions between the tool bar and the roller, the structure eliminates bending stresses that would otherwise limit pipe length. The added complexity is minimal (one roller per pipe end), while the benefit of increased pipe length is significant for covering larger field areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11058049B2Swing pipe for manure applications

Publication Date: 2021.07.13 AG PREMIER INC

AI summary

Disclosed is a swing pipe system for manure applications. In one embodiment the swing pipe system includes a main pipe configured to receive manure from a swivel, a support member at a first end of the main pipe configured to support the first end of the main pipe, and a tool bar configured to support a second end of the main pipe, the second end of the main pipe being pivotally supported to allow the main pipe to pivot about a horizontal axis and a vertical axis.