Compressed Gas Damping for Agricultural Headers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural vehicles with interchangeable harvesting attachments face challenges in achieving consistent vibration damping across different attachments of varying masses, requiring costly and time-consuming adjustments to the compressed gas supply, which limits quick exchange and efficient operation.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a system connecting two compressed gas supplies via a compressed gas line with a check valve and inlet/outlet valves allows for pressure equalization and gas volume adjustment, enabling adaptation to the weight of the attachment in real-time, ensuring consistent damping behavior regardless of mass.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the amount of compressed gas is adjusted to adapt to different attachment weights, then the vibration damping behavior is optimized, but the time and cost for workshop adjustments increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration damping behaviorVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-adjustment of the compressed gas volume to match different attachment weights. The operator can independently control the gas volume using the provided control mechanism, eliminating the need for professional workshop adjustments and enabling quick adaptation between different harvesting attachments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides dynamic adjustability of the compressed gas volume based on the specific requirements of different attachments. The control mechanism allows real-time modification of gas volume to optimize damping behavior for various attachment weights, transitioning from a static fixed-volume system to a dynamic adjustable one.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the compressed gas volume is kept fixed for quick exchange, then the adjustment time is reduced, but the vibration and damping behavior becomes inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment exchange speedVSAvoiddamping behavior consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains high productivity by enabling rapid gas volume adjustments without requiring full workshop procedures. The control mechanism allows operators to quickly modify gas volume between attachments, maintaining both exchange speed and damping consistency through on-demand adjustment rather than fixed pre-adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of compressed gas volume to match different attachment weights. By providing a control mechanism that adjusts gas volume, the system maintains consistent damping behavior across different attachments while allowing quick exchange, as the gas volume can be rapidly modified without disassembling or extensively adjusting the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This solution enables quick and efficient conversion between different attachments, maintaining consistent vibration damping and movement behavior across various attachments, reducing the need for workshop visits and minimizing the impact of attachment weight on vibration dynamics.

Implementation Method 1

a check valve is arranged in the compressed gas line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCheck valve one-way flow control: Valve

Implementation Method 2

these actuators allow damped elastic oscillations of the vehicle and the header mounted thereon relative to the ground

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompressed gas elastic oscillation damping: Damping

Implementation Method 3

two such hydraulic actuators communicate with a first and a second compressed gas reservoir

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompressed gas pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP2394502B1Agricultural vehicle with extension device
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 CLAAS INDUSTRIETECHNIK GMBH
  • EP2394502B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2394502B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The vehicle e.g. combine harvester (1), has a harvester head (2) elastically deflected against pressure of a compressed gas supply based on a ground driven by the vehicle. An oil pump and a control valve are provided for changing volume of another compressed gas supply. The gas supplies are connected by a compressed gas pipe, and a check valve i.e. non-return valve, is arranged in the pipe. The gas supplies are arranged in respective pressure containers, where the check valve is controlled by a magnetic coil. A pressure sensor is arranged between the check valve and a compressed gas chamber. An independent claim is also included for a method for adjusting a vehicle.