Corn Head Adjustment System Force Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in efficiently folding and unfolding corn heads on agricultural machines to accommodate both operational efficiency during harvesting and ease of transport and storage, as existing systems face difficulties in managing the mechanical relationships between wide corn heads and their folding mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A corn head adjustment system that includes a fold actuator and hydraulic system, allowing for hydraulic actuation of wing segments relative to a center frame, with a force relief arrangement to reduce fluid pressure at predetermined positions during folding and unfolding, enabling smooth and controlled adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If hydraulic force is applied to fold/unfold the corn head, then the folding mechanism can overcome mechanical resistance, but excessive force may cause mechanical stress or damage to the frame
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the hydraulic pressure parameter during the fold/unfold cycle. High pressure is applied only when needed to overcome mechanical resistance (at the beginning of folding/unfolding), then pressure is reduced once the wing segments are in motion, preventing excessive force from damaging the frame while still providing sufficient force to initiate and complete the movement
2Productivity
If the corn head is designed to be wide for efficient harvesting, then more rows can be processed simultaneously, but the folding mechanism becomes more complex and difficult to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The corn head is segmented into a center frame and multiple wing segments that can fold independently. Each wing segment has its own fold actuator, allowing the wide corn head to be divided into manageable sections that can be folded separately, reducing the overall complexity of the folding mechanism while maintaining the ability to process multiple rows simultaneously
3Power
If high fluid pressure is maintained during folding, then the actuator can overcome resistance efficiently, but mechanical stress on the frame increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system uses periodic action by activating high pressure only during specific phases of the folding/unfolding cycle when resistance is highest, then reducing or eliminating pressure once the movement is underway or completed. This periodic application of force provides sufficient power to overcome resistance while minimizing the duration and magnitude of mechanical stress on the frame
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 system facilitates efficient folding and unfolding of corn heads, reducing mechanical stress and improving operational efficiency during both harvesting and transport, ensuring seamless transitions between operational and storage states.
Implementation Method 1
corn head hydraulics fluidly coupled to receive a fluid from a source and to selectively direct the fluid to the first fold actuator
Implementation Method 2
fluid pressure to the first fold actuator is reduced
Data Source
AI summary
A corn head includes a first wing segment; a center segment; and a corn head adjustment system. The corn head adjustment system includes a first fold actuator and corn head hydraulics fluidly coupled to receive a fluid from a source and to selectively direct the fluid to the first fold actuator. During a fold process, the corn head hydraulics is configured to actuate the first fold actuator in order to lift and fold the first wing segment frame relative to the center frame. During an unfold process, the corn head hydraulics is configured to actuate the first fold actuator in order to lift and unfold the first wing segment frame relative to the center frame. The corn head hydraulics includes a force relief arrangement configured such that, at a predetermined position during the fold process and the unfold process, fluid pressure to the first fold actuator is reduced.