Adjustable Stops for Flexible Cutterbar Vertical Movement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional grain harvesting headers with flexible cutterbars are ineffective in collecting all severed crop material, particularly when following ground contours at high speeds, and fail to convey the material effectively to the feeder house, with issues in controlling header height and durability when in sliding contact with the ground.

Innovation Solution

A harvesting header with a flexible cutterbar assembly supported by pivotally coupled support arms that can flex along its length, featuring adjustable stops to define a range of angular movement and vertical movement, and a draper assembly for conveying crop materials, including a center draper and side drapers that flex with the cutterbar to ensure efficient collection and conveyance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible cutterbar follows the ground contour at high speed, then the header can adapt to terrain variations, but the cutterbar becomes ineffective at receiving all severed crop material

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveterrain adaptabilityVSAvoidcrop material collection efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The cutterbar is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to flex and adapt to terrain variations while maintaining its cutting function. The flexibility enables the cutterbar to follow ground contours without compromising its ability to receive and convey crop material effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible header operates in close proximity to the ground, then it can harvest low-lying crops, but the header becomes damaged due to sliding contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelow crop harvesting capabilityVSAvoidheader durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The header incorporates flexible components including a flexible cutterbar and flexible draper conveyor that can bend and adapt to ground contact without suffering damage. This flexibility allows the header to operate close to the ground while protecting the structure from damage during sliding contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Device complexity

If the support arms are fixed in position, then the header structure is simple and rigid, but the header cannot adapt to terrain contours

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport arm structure simplicityVSAvoidterrain following capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support arms are designed to be pivotal rather than fixed, allowing them to swing and adjust the cutterbar position in response to terrain variations. This dynamic capability enables the header to follow ground contours while maintaining a relatively simple structural design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support arms can change their angular position parameter to adapt to different terrain conditions. By allowing the support arms to pivot through varying angles, the header can maintain contact with the ground while accommodating terrain contours.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If the cutterbar is rigid, then the header structure is simpler, but the header cannot flex to follow ground contours

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutterbar structure simplicityVSAvoidground contour following ability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cutterbar is constructed as a flexible component that can bend and conform to ground contours. This flexible design allows the cutterbar to follow terrain variations while maintaining structural integrity and cutting effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP2315514B1Adjustable cutterbar travel range for a flexible cutterbar header

Publication Date: 2012.04.25 AGCO CORP

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AI summary

A harvesting header (40) operable to harvest a crop. The header has a flexible cutterbar assembly (48) extending lengthwise in a lateral direction relative to the normal direction of travel of the header. The cutterbar assembly is supported from a plurality of laterally spaced apart support arms (44,46) which are pivoted about a laterally extending axis so that the cutterbar assembly can flex along the length thereof in response to changes in terrain as the header is advanced. A pair of stops cooperate to define a variable range of angular movement of the support arms and a corresponding variable range of generally vertical movement of the flexible cutterbar assembly. A first one of the stops is configured to engage at least one of the support arms and thereby define a first upper limit of the range of angular movement, and second one of the stops is adjustably spaced from the first stop and configured to engage the at least one support arm and thereby define an adjustable second lower limit of the range of angular movement. The second can be selectively positioned in an arm-locking position, in which the at least one support arm is concurrently engaged by both stops and the cutterbar assembly is thereby generally restricted from moving vertically, and a plurality of spaced apart arm-swinging positions defining corresponding distinct ranges of angular movement for the support arms.