Chopper Assembly Automatic Blade Reset Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional chopper assemblies in agricultural harvesters require manual resetting of counter knife elements after striking foreign objects, which is undesirable and increases complexity.
Innovation Solution
A chopper assembly with an automatic blade reset mechanism that includes a blade reset assembly with a pivot support member and a blade support body, where a blade reset mechanism applies a force to bias the blade elements towards an extended position and allows them to pivot to a retracted position when contacted by a foreign object, preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual resetting of counter knife elements is used after striking foreign objects, then the system structure can be simpler, but operational efficiency decreases and labor intensity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The counter knife element automatically resets itself after being deflected by a foreign object. The spring mechanism stores energy during deflection and automatically returns the knife to its working position without manual intervention, making the system self-servicing and eliminating the need for operator intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism is pre-loaded to store elastic energy that cushions the impact of foreign objects on the counter knife elements. This beforehand cushioning allows the knife to deflect safely and then automatically return to its working position, preventing damage while maintaining operational efficiency
2Reliability
If counter knife elements are made to deflect or break-away to avoid damage, then blade durability improves, but manual re-setting is required which increases operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The counter knife element with spring mechanism automatically recovers from deflection caused by foreign objects. The spring stores energy during impact and automatically returns the knife to its working position, making the system self-servicing and eliminating manual re-setting operations
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism provides beforehand cushioning by being pre-loaded to absorb impact energy from foreign objects. This allows the knife element to deflect safely without damage and then automatically return to its working position, improving reliability while eliminating manual intervention
3Productivity
If the blade elements are positioned in fully engaged position for chopping, then material processing efficiency improves, but the risk of striking foreign objects and blade damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The counter knife element is made dynamically responsive to foreign object impacts. During normal operation, the knife remains in the engaged position for efficient chopping. Upon impact with a foreign object, the spring mechanism allows the knife to deflect to a safe position, then automatically returns to the engaged position, providing dynamic adaptation to operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-loaded spring mechanism provides beforehand cushioning that allows the counter knife element to safely deflect when striking foreign objects while maintaining the engaged position for normal chopping operations. This cushioning mechanism protects the blade from damage while preserving material processing efficiency
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The automatic blade reset mechanism reduces the complexity of counter knife reset systems while ensuring the blade elements can retract to avoid damage from foreign objects, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
a blade reset mechanism including a spring mechanism coupled between the pivot support member and the blade support body
Implementation Method 2
a bias mechanism coupled between the pivot support member and the blade support body and configured to apply a force against the blade support body that urges the blade support body to pivot about the pivot axis
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A chopper assembly (100) for a harvester (10) may include a blade reset assembly having an automatic blade reset mechanism (106) configured to apply a force that urges the assembly to pivot about a pivot axis such a blade element (66) supported by the blade reset assembly (106) is biased towards an extended position. In addition, blade reset assembly (106) may be configured to pivot against the force applied by the blade reset mechanism when the blade element (66) is subjected to a sufficient counterforce force such that the blade element (66) is moved towards a retracted position.