Combine Reel With Pivotable Intermediate Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grain headers for combine harvesters face inefficiencies when harvesting fallen stalks parallel to the driving direction, as the rotating reel pushes them further down instead of lifting them, requiring the driver to change direction, leading to time loss and inefficient harvesting.
Innovation Solution
A reel mechanism with a rotatable central tube and pivotably connected intermediate members that allow tine bars to move in a reciprocating axial motion, enabling sideways motion of tines to lift fallen crops, even when the harvester is moving parallel to the stalks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional rotating reel with straight tines is used, then the reel structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot lift fallen stalks when the harvesting direction is parallel to the stalk orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate members are made pivotable relative to the central tube, allowing them to dynamically adjust their orientation. When the reel rotates, the pivotable intermediate members generate a reciprocating axial motion that creates a sideways component of motion for the tines, enabling them to lift fallen stalks effectively regardless of the harvesting direction
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a new dimension of motion by allowing the intermediate members to pivot. This creates a reciprocating axial motion in addition to the rotational motion, generating a sideways component that enables the tines to lift fallen stalks parallel to the driving direction, thus adding capability in a new dimensional aspect
2Productivity
If the driver changes harvesting direction to harvest fallen stalks, then the stalks can be lifted properly, but harvesting time increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The reel mechanism automatically adapts to fallen stalks through the pivotable intermediate members that generate sideways tine motion during normal rotation. This self-adjusting mechanism eliminates the need for the driver to manually change direction, allowing continuous harvesting in the original direction and maintaining high productivity
3Ease of operation
If straight intermediate members are used in the reel, then the reel structure is simple, but the tines cannot generate sideways motion to lift fallen crops
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate members are designed with pivotability, transforming them from static straight members into dynamic components that can change orientation during reel rotation. This dynamic capability enables the generation of reciprocating axial motion and sideways tine motion, making the reel effective at lifting fallen crops while maintaining reasonable structural simplicity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2d
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The reel (4') of the combine header of the invention comprises a rotatable central tube (10) with side members (15,16) attached to the tube and with intermediate members (17,18) arranged between the side members and tine bars (19) coupled to the side and intermediate members. The intermediate members (17,18) are coupled to a pivoting mechanism for positioning them at a slanted angle with respect to the central tube (10), the slanted position of the intermediate members being stationary relative to the frame of the header while the reel is rotating. The tine bars are pivotably connected to the intermediate members, so that the rotation of the reel generates a reciprocating motion of the tine bars in the axial direction of the reel when the intermediate members (17,18) are in a slanted position. This in turn generates a sideways motion of the tines (14) attached to the tine bars. The sideways motion enables the lifting up of fallen crops lying parallel to the driving direction of the harvester.