Adjustable Ear Dam for Corn Header Crop Dividers

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing corn headers lack adjustable and cost-effective crop saving attachments that can accommodate various crop materials, leading to grain loss and complexity in maintenance and storage.

Innovation Solution

A two-part crop dividing device with a removable ear dam member that can be positioned to increase or decrease the overall slope of the divider, allowing for adjustable crop saving capability and easy storage within the hood or base member.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If ear loss inhibitors such as ear dams or ear covers are added to prevent grain loss, then crop saving capability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrain lossVSAvoidattachment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The crop saving attachment is divided into modular components: the ear dam member can be independently attached to or removed from the row divider, allowing the system to be segmented into essential and optional parts. This reduces overall device complexity while maintaining grain loss prevention capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ear dam member is designed to be dynamically attachable and detachable rather than permanently fixed. This dynamic configuration allows the attachment complexity to be adjusted based on operational needs, simplifying the device structure during storage or when grain loss is not a concern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of substance

If ear loss inhibitors are permanently installed to prevent grain loss, then crop saving capability is improved, but ease of operation and storage difficulty worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrain lossVSAvoidadjustability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ear dam member transitions from a static permanent installation to a dynamic removable attachment. Operators can easily attach the ear dam when grain loss prevention is needed and remove it when not needed, significantly improving ease of operation and simplifying storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The ear dam member is pre-designed with attachment features that allow quick installation and removal without complex tools or procedures. This preliminary preparation of the attachment mechanism enables operators to rapidly configure the device according to crop conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple crop saving attachments are added to accommodate various crop materials, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrop material accommodationVSAvoidattachment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ear dam member is designed as a universal attachment that can be applied to different row divider configurations and accommodate various crop materials including corn, sorghum, and other row crops. This single multi-functional component replaces the need for multiple specialized attachments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment system is segmented into a standardized ear dam member that can be independently configured on different row dividers, allowing adaptability to various crop conditions without requiring complex integrated systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Loss of substance

If complex corn saving attachments are installed to prevent grain loss, then crop saving capability is improved, but ease of repair and storage difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrain lossVSAvoidmaintenance difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The ear dam member is segmented as a separate, simple component that can be easily removed and inspected independently from the main header structure. This segmentation enables straightforward maintenance and repair without disassembling complex integrated systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ear dam member is designed as a simple, low-cost component that can be easily replaced if damaged, rather than a complex expensive attachment requiring specialized repair procedures. This approach simplifies maintenance while maintaining grain loss prevention capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS11032969B2Crop divider for a corn header

Publication Date: 2021.06.15 BLUE LEAF I P INC

AI summary

A crop dividing device for an agricultural header including a hood and a divider connected to the hood. The divider includes a base member pivotally connected to the hood. The base member includes a receiving section. The divider also includes an ear dam member receivable in the receiving section. The ear dam member is positionable in between a first position for increasing an overall slope of the divider and a second position for decreasing the overall slope of the divider. The ear dam member is connected to the receiving section in the first position, and the ear dam member is connected to one of the hood and base member in the second position.