Adjustable Support Saddle for Combine Harvester Headers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing header trailers for combine harvesters are inflexible and cannot accommodate different types of cutting units with varying orientations, leading to unstable transport and restricted use on public roads due to fixed orientations and varying feeder duct spacings.
Innovation Solution
A header trailer with an adjustable support saddle that can pivot and adjust its position relative to the chassis, allowing the cutting unit to be supported in multiple orientations and positions, with a pivot axis close to the center of gravity to minimize tilting and accommodate different combine harvester types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed support saddle design is used, then the structure is simple and stable, but it cannot accommodate different types of cutting units with varying orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The support saddle is designed with movable components including a transverse beam that can shift laterally and longitudinal beams that can adjust their positions. This dynamic structure allows the support saddle to adapt to different cutting unit types and orientations while maintaining structural stability, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support saddle is divided into multiple independent adjustable components: transverse beams, longitudinal beams, and support points. Each segment can be independently positioned to accommodate specific cutting unit requirements. This segmentation allows versatile adaptation without requiring complete redesign of the entire structure.
2Area of stationary object
If the header is placed off-centre to make the gap for the feeder housing wide, then the feeder duct insertion space is improved, but the lateral overhang exceeds legal restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The support saddle enables dynamic positioning of the cutting unit both laterally and longitudinally. This allows the cutting unit to be precisely positioned to maximize feeder duct insertion space while keeping the lateral overhang within legal limits, resolving the spatial contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changing the position parameters of the cutting unit on the transport vehicle. By adjusting the lateral and longitudinal positions, the optimal balance between feeder duct space and legal overhang restrictions is achieved.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the center of gravity is placed low and precisely on the longitudinal center plane for stable mounting, then transport stability is improved, but the insertion space for the feed channel is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable support saddle allows dynamic positioning of the cutting unit's center of gravity. The support points can be positioned to maintain stable mounting while the entire assembly can be shifted to create adequate feeder duct insertion space, resolving the contradiction between stability and space requirements.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple intermediate supports are added to transport different header types, then adaptability is improved, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support saddle is designed as a universal structure with adjustable transverse and longitudinal beams that can accommodate multiple header types. Instead of adding separate intermediate supports for each header type, the same support saddle can be reconfigured through beam adjustments to suit different configurations, reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The carriage has a pedestal (12) formed to firmly support a cutting unit (16) placed on the pedestal, where the pedestal is movably guided on a longitudinal support (1), a coupling (2), an axle (3) and a diagonal strut (4), with a single degree of freedom of swiveling motion. A rotary axis (27) of the swiveling motion runs above the pedestal. The distance of the rotary axis from the centre of the cutting unit loaded on the pedestal is smaller than one third of the distance between the rotary axis and a support point of the cutting unit on the pedestal.