Draper Header Multi-Part Auger for Crop Build-Up Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional draper cutter units experience material build-up of crops near the rear wall, particularly with high straw content crops like rapeseed, which is difficult to remove and disrupts the harvesting process.
Innovation Solution
A three-part conveyor screw is integrated above the central and lateral belt conveyor devices, extending over the working width of the cutting unit, with universal joints connecting the auger parts for a consistent spatial relationship during frame pivoting, ensuring effective scraping and conveying of crops without accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid one-piece frame is used with a screw conveyor, then the structural stability is improved, but the adaptability to frame pivoting movements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The screw conveyor is divided into multiple segments (first, second, and third screw conveyors) that can pivot independently with their respective frame parts. This segmentation allows each segment to adapt to frame pivoting movements while maintaining the overall conveying function, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and adaptability to frame pivoting.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the screw conveyor length is made constant to match frame width, then the spatial relationship consistency is improved, but the accommodation of length differences during pivoting deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The screw conveyor segments are designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing their relative positions to change during frame pivoting. The segments can adjust their spatial relationships dynamically while maintaining effective crop conveying, accommodating length differences that arise during pivoting movements without compromising overall consistency.
3Productivity
If the screw conveyor is positioned close to the reel for effective stripping, then the crop stripping efficiency is improved, but the risk of crop re-wrapping deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The screw conveyor is segmented into multiple sections positioned at different locations relative to the reel. This segmentation allows effective stripping action where the screw flights remove crop from the reel circumference, while the segmented structure prevents crop from being carried forward and re-wrapping around the reel by directing it toward the transfer opening.
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 solution prevents crop build-up by maintaining a consistent spatial assignment between the screw conveyor and frame parts, allowing for efficient removal of adhering crops and ensuring uninterrupted harvesting, even during frame movements.
Implementation Method 1
the adjacent parts of the screw conveyor are connected to each other by universal joints
Implementation Method 2
a three-part screw conveyor in the area of the rear wall, which extends over the working width of the cutting unit and is located above the central and lateral belt conveyor devices
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a cutting unit (2) for attachment to a combine harvester with a three-part frame, the frame parts (4, 6) of which are articulated to one another, a cutter bar (10), a reel (8), a central belt conveyor (14) and lateral belt conveyors (12) for conveying the cut straw, which are supported on the frame (4, 6), wherein the lateral belt conveyors (12) convey transversely to the direction of travel towards the central belt conveyor (14) and the central belt conveyor (14) conveys against the direction of travel.To prevent material build-up of harvested crop in the area of the rear wall of the side belt conveyors, a three-part auger is arranged in the rear wall area, extending across the working width of the cutting unit (2), with the lengths of the respective auger sections (16, 18) corresponding at least approximately to the widths of the frame sections (6, 8). The auger sections (16, 18) are driven by a common drive, and the adjacent sections (16, 18) of the auger are connected to each other by universal joints (24).