Adjustable Transverse Auger for Harvesting Header

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing harvesting attachments struggle to adapt the vertical position of the transverse conveyor screw to varying crop throughputs, leading to crop jamming or inadequate contact pressure, as the prior art either fixes the position or uses automation that does not account for crop-specific properties across the entire header width.

Innovation Solution

A harvesting attachment with a cross conveyor screw that can be adjusted in position by an externally powered actuator, controlled by a device that considers crop properties such as type, throughput, and contact pressure, allowing separate adjustment of sections and using sensors like cameras and pressure sensors to optimize the position and force applied by the transverse auger.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the transverse auger position is fixed or limited upwards, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the crop can become jammed under the transverse auger under high local throughputs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of crop jammingVSAvoidadaptability to varying crop throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The transverse auger is equipped with an actuator that enables dynamic vertical adjustment of its position. The control unit continuously monitors crop throughput and automatically commands the actuator to raise or lower the auger, allowing the system to adapt to varying crop conditions in real-time, preventing jamming while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates sensors that detect crop properties and throughput, feeding this information to the control unit. The control unit processes this data and automatically adjusts the auger position via the actuator, creating a closed-loop feedback system that ensures reliable operation across varying throughput conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Force

If strong springs are used to press the transverse auger downwards, then the auger maintains contact with soft crops, but the force cannot be adjusted and relatively strong springs are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact pressure on cropVSAvoidadjustability to different crop properties

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional spring-based mechanical force application system with an actuator-controlled system. Instead of relying on elastic spring force, the actuator uses controlled mechanical movement to position the auger, allowing precise adjustment of contact pressure based on crop properties detected by sensors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the vertical position parameter of the transverse auger based on detected crop properties. The control unit adjusts the auger's vertical position to optimize contact pressure for different crop types, replacing the fixed spring force with variable positional control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Extent of automation

If automation is used to adjust the transverse auger, then the adjustment is performed automatically, but the adjustment is performed uniformly across the entire width of the header

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic adjustmentVSAvoiduniform adjustment across header width

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The transverse auger is divided into multiple independently controllable sections along its width. Each section has its own actuator and can be adjusted separately based on local crop conditions detected by distributed sensors, allowing non-uniform adjustment across the header width while maintaining automatic control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If the transverse auger position is adjusted manually by operator, then the position can be set for different crops, but it cannot adapt dynamically to varying throughput conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition adjustment for different cropsVSAvoiddynamic adaptation to throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables the transverse auger to adjust its own position automatically based on sensor feedback about crop properties and throughput conditions. The control unit processes sensor data and commands the actuator without operator intervention, allowing dynamic adaptation to varying throughput while maintaining crop-specific positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3659421B1Harvesting header with adjustable transverse auger

Publication Date: 2023.04.12 DEERE & CO

Figure 1
Figure 2~4

AI summary

A harvesting attachment (18) for a harvesting machine (10) is equipped with a supporting frame (56), means for picking up and/or cutting crop from a field, and a transverse auger (112). The transverse auger (112) can be adjusted in position by means of an externally operated actuator (114), and a control device (46) can be operated to automatically control the actuator (114) depending on at least one property of the crop.