Corn Header Divider Assembly Telescoping Hinge Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional corn headers face challenges in folding their snout and gatherer hood configurations for end-wise transport and storage due to the overhang of the cross auger, limiting the angle of raising the snout and gatherer hood without interference, which is essential for efficient folding and compact storage.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a telescoping support and a four-point hinge assembly allows the corn row divider assembly to move upward and forward, enabling the snout and gatherer hood to circumvent the cross auger overhang, thereby increasing the angle of raise and facilitating a compact non-operational configuration for transport and storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the snout and gatherer hood are raised to enable access for servicing row units, then ease of operation is improved, but the angle of raise is limited by interference with the cross auger

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess for servicingVSAvoidangle of raise

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a telescoping support mechanism that enables the snout and gatherer hood to move not only vertically but also horizontally forward. This dimensional change in movement allows the assembly to clear the cross auger overhang, achieving a greater angle of raise that would be impossible with vertical movement alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The telescoping support acts as an intermediary mechanism between the snout/gatherer hood assembly and the header frame. It provides the additional forward motion capability that mediates the conflict between raising the assembly for service access and avoiding interference with the cross auger.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the corn header is designed for efficient harvesting operations, then productivity is improved, but the fore and aft length exceeds transport regulation limits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharvesting efficiencyVSAvoidfore and aft length

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamic principles by making the snout and gatherer hood assembly movable rather than fixed. The telescoping support and hinge assembly allow the configuration to change between operational and transport states, enabling the header to meet both harvesting efficiency and transport length requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The corn row divider assembly is segmented into movable components (snout, gatherer hood, telescoping support, hinge assembly) that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the forward-extending portions to be retracted during transport while maintaining their extended position during harvesting operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9210841B2Divider assembly for corn header

Publication Date: 2015.12.15 AGCO CORP

AI summary

A corn header has a row unit frame and an auger sweeping ears of corn toward a center of the corn header. A corn row divider assembly has a snout and gatherer hood hingeably coupled to, and aft of, the snout. An aft end of the gatherer hood extends beneath and to the rear of the fore end of the auger in an operational configuration of the divider assembly.