Adjustable Conveyor Assembly for Lodged Crop Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional harvesting reel designs for agricultural harvesters are limited in their ability to effectively collect and convey lodged or short crops, as they lack the necessary adjustability to accommodate varying crop conditions, leading to inefficiencies and crop loss.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable conveyor assembly for agricultural harvesters, featuring a cam track with adjustable sheaves and a conveyor belt with slats and tines, allowing for flexible positioning and operation to collect and convey crops efficiently across different crop conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional harvesting reel is used with a basic circular path, then the reel position is acceptable for tall and loose crop, but the performance deteriorates when the crop is lodged or short
Solution Approach 1:
The harvesting reel is made dynamically adjustable through multiple degrees of freedom, allowing the reel position and swept path to be changed during operation. The support bar can pivot about a first degree of freedom to adjust reel height, while a second degree of freedom adjusts the reel's forward position, enabling adaptation to both tall loose crop and lodged/short crop conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The single harvesting reel design is made universal by enabling it to perform multiple functions through adjustment mechanisms. The same reel can be positioned for tall crop harvesting or adjusted to a lower, forward position for lodged crop pickup, eliminating the need for different reel designs for different crop conditions
2Adaptability or versatility
If the harvesting reel swept path is kept small in traditional design, then the reel structure remains simple, but the reel cannot simultaneously pick up lodged crop and feed evenly into the feederhouse
Solution Approach 1:
The reel swept path is made dynamically adjustable through the support bar mechanism with two degrees of freedom. This allows the swept path to be enlarged and flattened when needed for lodged crop, while maintaining a more compact configuration for tall crop, with the adjustment achieved through mechanical pivoting rather than complex structural changes
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanisms are integrated into the existing reel structure. The support bar with its pivot points is nested within the overall header assembly, allowing the reel to be repositioned without adding significant external complexity. The first and second degrees of freedom are incorporated as part of the support structure rather than separate add-on mechanisms
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed harvesting reel position is used, then the device structure remains simple, but the header cannot be adjusted for varying crop conditions without using a new header
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor assembly is made dynamically adjustable with the support bar providing two degrees of freedom. This allows the entire conveyor assembly to be repositioned relative to the header frame, enabling adaptation to varying crop conditions while using a single header design rather than requiring multiple specialized headers
Data Source
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AI summary
An improved header for an agricultural harvester is provided. The header includes a frame, a support bar connected to the frame and a conveyor assembly. The conveyor assembly is connected to the support bar and is adjustable in position relative to the frame about at least two degrees of freedom. The conveyor assembly includes a cam track, an endless web extending across the cam track and a plurality of tines connected to the endless web.