Articulated Guide Device for Forage Pickup Consistency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural machines for harvesting forage often experience irregular plant accumulation and blockage of moving devices, leading to inconsistent windrow formation, which disrupts the picking-up process with balers or forage harvesters.

Innovation Solution

A guiding device supported by articulated arms is positioned above the pickup device, ensuring plants remain in contact with the tines and are conveyed evenly to the moving device, preventing accumulation and ensuring consistent windrow formation. This device is adjustable to accommodate varying plant densities and can pivot to maintain contact with the pickup device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If plants are moved irregularly over the moving device, then the working width can be increased with multiple pickup devices, but blockage of the moving device occurs and windrow formation becomes inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworking widthVSAvoidconsistent windrow formation

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A guide device is introduced as an intermediary element between the pickup device and the moving device. This guide device includes guide elements that direct plants from the pickup device onto the moving device in a controlled manner, preventing irregular accumulation and ensuring consistent windrow formation while maintaining the increased working width capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the guide device is positioned close to the pickup device, then plants are kept in contact with the pickup device for even conveyance, but plants may be caught on the arms and accumulate thereon

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeven plant conveyanceVSAvoidplant accumulation on arms

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide elements of the guide device are designed with curved surfaces that guide plants smoothly from the pickup device onto the moving device. The curved geometry prevents plants from being caught on sharp edges or protruding arm structures, while maintaining close proximity to the pickup device for consistent conveyance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Device complexity

If the guide device is fixed in position, then the structure is simpler, but it cannot adapt to varying plant densities and may cause blockage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguide device structureVSAvoidadaptation to plant density

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The guide device is made adjustable with arms that can pivot or move relative to the frame, allowing the guide elements to adapt their position based on plant density variations. This dynamic capability enables the guide device to maintain effective guidance without causing blockage, while the adjustment mechanism remains relatively simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS7823371B2Guiding arrangement for forage pickup device of an agricultural harvester

Publication Date: 2010.11.02 KUHN SA

AI summary

An agricultural machine for harvesting forage including a frame supporting at least one device for picking up plants lying on the ground and at least one device for moving the plants that have been picked up. The machine includes a device for guiding the plants which is situated at least partially above and at a short distance from the pickup device and which is supported by arms which extend rearward above the moving device and whose rear ends are articulated relative to the frame by means of substantially horizontal axes situated, during work, above the rear portion of the moving device and about which they can pivot through a certain angle.