Agricultural Harvester Concave Sliding Support Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural harvester concave replacement systems require significant manual effort and maneuvering, making them inefficient and labor-intensive, especially in confined spaces.
Innovation Solution
A frame assembly with sliding supports and a slotted member allows concaves to be slid into position, supported during installation, and secured with a fastener for easy attachment to the frame, enabling single-person operation in a confined space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional hooking arrangements are used to support concaves, then the concave can be attached to the frame assembly, but the installer must manually maneuver and support the concave in confined spaces, increasing installation difficulty and time
Solution Approach 1:
A sliding support member is introduced as an intermediary between the concave and the frame assembly. This mediator allows the concave to be easily maneuvered into position by sliding along the support member, eliminating the need for manual handling in confined spaces. The sliding support member temporarily supports the concave during installation and can be removed after attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The support system transitions from a static hooking arrangement to a dynamic sliding support mechanism. The sliding support member allows movement along its length, enabling the installer to easily position the concave at different locations before final attachment, thereby reducing installation time and effort.
2Reliability
If the concave is securely attached to the frame assembly, then the concave remains stable during operation, but the installer must exert significant effort to maneuver and position the concave
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding support member serves as a mediator that provides temporary support during installation, allowing the concave to be easily positioned without requiring the installer to exert significant force. Once the concave is in position, secure attachment mechanisms ensure operational stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment process is segmented into two distinct phases: (1) temporary support and positioning using the sliding support member, which requires minimal force, and (2) permanent attachment using secure fastening mechanisms, which ensure operational reliability. This segmentation allows the installer to avoid exerting excessive force while still achieving stable attachment.
3Ease of repair
If the support system allows easy removal and reinstallation of concaves, then maintenance and crop adaptation are simplified, but the support structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding support member acts as a removable intermediary that simplifies concave replacement. It can be easily installed and removed without permanent attachment, allowing quick concave changes for maintenance or crop adaptation. The support member itself remains a relatively simple component despite enabling this ease of replacement.
Data Source
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AI summary
An agricultural harvester (10) includes a chassis (12), and a threshing and separating section (24) for threshing and separating grain from gathered crop material. The threshing and separating section (24) being carried by the chassis (12), and includes at least one concave (42) having a hooking feature (94), at least one sliding support (76, 78), and a frame assembly (72) for carrying and coupling the concave (42) thereto. The frame assembly (72) has a support bar (74) allowing the hooking feature (94) to hook over the support bar (74) to support one side of the concave (42). The other side of the concave (42) is also coupled to the frame assembly (72). The sliding support (76, 78) supports the concave (42) as the concave (42) is moved toward or away from the support bar (74).