Sugarcane Harvester Chopper Timing Adjustment Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

The timing of operation between the blades of a sugarcane harvester's chopper drums is affected by blade wear, impacting the quality of the cut, as existing systems lack a precise mechanism for adjusting this timing.

Innovation Solution

A chopper system with a gearbox that coordinates the rotation of two chopper drums and a timing-adjustment tool allowing for fine adjustment of the timing between the blades by loosening fasteners and rotating a rotor relative to the first gear, enabling precise alignment of the blades.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If blade wear occurs during operation, then the chopper continues to function, but the timing between blades deteriorates and cut quality decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice life of bladesVSAvoidtiming between blades

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The rotor is designed to be adjustable relative to the gear, allowing dynamic repositioning of the chopper drum timing. The adjustment mechanism enables the rotor to be moved angularly along the circumference to compensate for blade wear and maintain optimal timing between blades throughout the service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows changing the angular position parameter of the rotor relative to the gear. By adjusting the rotor's rotational position, the timing between blades can be modified to account for wear, effectively resetting the timing parameter without replacing the blades themselves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If existing timing adjustment methods are used, then some adjustment is possible, but fine adjustment capability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetiming adjustment precisionVSAvoidadjustment operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanism replaces coarse mechanical adjustment with a fine-adjustment system that allows precise angular positioning. The mechanism includes features such as adjustment slots, locking mechanisms, or incremental positioning features that enable operators to make small, controlled adjustments to the rotor position for precise timing alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If the rotor is made adjustable to compensate for blade wear, then timing can be maintained, but the gearbox complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetiming consistencyVSAvoidgearbox structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanism is segmented into discrete, modular components such as adjustable rotor mounts, separate adjustment mechanisms, and modular fastening systems. This segmentation allows the adjustment function to be added as a distinct module rather than redesigning the entire gearbox, thereby maintaining reliability while limiting the increase in overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11737391B2Sugarcane harvester chopper system with timing-adjustment tool

Publication Date: 2023.08.29 DEERE & CO

AI summary

A chopper system for a sugarcane harvester comprises a chopper and a timing-adjustment tool. The chopper comprises a first chopper drum mounted for rotation about a first axis of rotation and comprising blades, a second chopper drum mounted for rotation about a second axis of rotation and comprising blades that cooperate with the blades of the first chopper drum to sever sugarcane stalks into billets upon rotation of the first and second chopper drums respectively about the first and second axes of rotation, and a gearbox that coordinates rotation of the first and second chopper drums relative to one another to establish a timing of operation between the blades of the first and second chopper drums. The timing-adjustment tool removably mounts to the chopper to adjust the timing of operation.