Agricultural Wheel Bumper with Pre-Contact Emergency Trigger
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bumper systems for agricultural machines, particularly autonomous ones, lack robustness and efficiency in collision scenarios, often leading to damage and requiring complex software solutions like LIDAR sensors to prevent collisions.
Innovation Solution
A bumper system with a skid plate and activation bar that pivots upon collision, activating an emergency sequence before physical contact, using thresholds to trigger braking and stopping, reducing the risk of damage and eliminating the need for LIDAR sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the forward speed of agricultural machine is limited to reduce collision risk, then the damage risk to bumper system is reduced, but productivity and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The activation bar is positioned forward of the skid plate, allowing it to make contact with obstacles first and trigger the emergency sequence before the skid plate and wheel are exposed to collision forces. This preliminary action enables protective measures to be activated in advance, reducing damage risk without requiring speed limitations that would affect productivity.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If LIDAR sensor is used to anticipate collision, then collision detection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The activation bar serves as a mechanical intermediary that physically contacts obstacles and translates this contact into activation of the emergency sequence through the control member. This simple mechanical intermediary replaces complex optical sensors like LIDAR, achieving collision detection functionality with minimal device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces optical/electronic collision detection systems (LIDAR) with a purely mechanical detection system consisting of the activation bar and control member. The mechanical contact of the activation bar with obstacles directly triggers the emergency sequence, eliminating the need for complex sensors and software piloting.
3Reliability
If skid plate is made robust to withstand collision, then protective function is improved, but weight and inertia increase
Solution Approach 1:
The activation bar triggers the emergency sequence before the skid plate encounters significant collision forces. This allows the skid plate to be designed with lower weight and inertia since it does not need to withstand full collision loads, as the emergency sequence is activated in advance by the lighter activation bar.
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 system effectively reduces the risk of damage to mechanical components by absorbing collision energy and triggering emergency sequences progressively, enhancing safety and efficiency without relying on complex sensors.
Implementation Method 1
the skid plate pivots about the first axis from its initial position to its contact position... enabling some of the kinetic energy resulting from the collision to be absorbed
Implementation Method 2
the activation bar moves from its initial position to its activation position, the activation bar in the process actuating a control member
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a bumper system of an agricultural machine, comprising:a plate pivotably connected to a chassis of the machine, movable between an initial position and a contact position;a bar movable between an initial position and an activation position;the bumper system being configured so that, in the event of the bar coming into contact with an obstacle, the bar moves from its initial position to its activation position, the bar actuating a control member configured to control an emergency sequence of the agricultural machine, the bumper system being further configured so that, in the event of the plate coming into contact with the obstacle, the plate pivots from its initial position to its contact position.