Draper Cleat Wear Reduction via Low-Friction Clip
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Solution Overview
Problem
The draper cleats in crop headers experience significant wear due to friction with the lower support track, which is a result of the high coefficient of friction of the rubber material used in the cleats.
Innovation Solution
A clip made of non-metallic material with a lower coefficient of friction is mounted on the cleats, covering the portion that contacts the lower support track, thereby reducing friction and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rubber material is used for cleats to optimize traction with draper guide rollers, then traction and minimize slippage is improved, but friction with the lower support track increases causing wear
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies a low-friction coating specifically to the portion of the cleat that contacts the lower support track, while leaving the rest of the cleat's rubber material intact to maintain high traction with the guide rollers. This localized modification resolves the contradiction by optimizing friction characteristics at different contact points.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite structure by combining the rubber material of the cleat with a low-friction coating material applied to its surface. This composite approach allows the cleat to exhibit both high friction (for traction) and low friction (for reduced wear) properties at different locations.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the coefficient of friction of the lower support track is reduced, then friction at the interface is decreased, but the effect is limited because the rubber has the higher coefficient of friction
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of modifying the entire track system, the invention applies the low-friction solution locally at the cleat-rtrack interface by coating the cleat surface. This targeted approach achieves effective friction reduction despite the track's own friction characteristics remaining unchanged.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If force and speed of the draper are modified to reduce wear, then friction effects are decreased, but these parameters cannot be modified due to header specifications
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter (friction coefficient) of the cleat surface through coating, rather than attempting to change the operational parameters (force and speed) which are constrained by header specifications. This alternative parameter modification achieves wear reduction within existing operational constraints.
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
The use of the clip significantly reduces the friction between the cleats and the lower support track, leading to decreased wear on the draper cleats and improved operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the clip having an outer surface of non-metallic material with a lower coefficient of friction than that of said one of more of the cleats so as to reduce friction upon contact with said at least one support member
Data Source
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AI summary
A crop header arranged for cutting and transporting a standing crop comprising: a header frame; a draper assembly mounted on the header frame rearwardly of the cutter bar such that cut crop falls onto the draper assembly for transportation longitudinally of the header; wherein the draper assembly includes a plurality of cleats on the belt each extending transversely of the belt and located at a spaced position from the next longitudinally of the belt; and a clip mounted on one or more of the cleats; the clip covering a portion of the top surface of the said at least one of the cleats.