Draper Header Lean Bar Assembly for Reel Position Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing draper headers do not maintain a predetermined position of the lean bar assembly relative to the crop pick-up reel during its movement, requiring frequent adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A draper header design with a lean bar assembly secured at a predetermined position relative to the crop pick-up reel, using a combination of inboard, outboard, and center reel support arms, and hydraulic cylinders to maintain this position during the reel's movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the crop pick-up reel is made selectively moveable in fore and aft directions along the reel support arms, then the reel can be adjusted to different positions for harvesting different crop conditions, but the lean bar assembly cannot maintain a predetermined position relative to the reel, requiring frequent adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The lean bar assembly is nested within the reel support arm structure, with the lean bar positioned inside the hollow reel support arm. This nested configuration allows the lean bar to move with the reel while maintaining a predetermined relative position, eliminating the need for separate adjustments of the lean bar when the reel is repositioned.
Solution Approach 2:
The reel support arm acts as an intermediary structure that couples both the crop pick-up reel and the lean bar assembly. By providing a common mounting structure, the reel support arm ensures that when the reel is moved to different positions, the lean bar maintains its predetermined position relative to the reel, thus mediating the relationship between the two components.
2Productivity
If the lean bar assembly is made adjustable to maintain optimal crop engagement, then harvesting efficiency can be optimized for different conditions, but the structural complexity of the header increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reel support arm serves multiple functions: it supports the crop pick-up reel, provides structural coupling for the lean bar assembly, and enables position adjustment of the reel. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate adjustment mechanisms for the lean bar, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining harvesting efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The lean bar assembly and reel support structure are merged into a single integrated unit. The lean bar is positioned within the hollow reel support arm, and both components are adjusted together as a unified system, simplifying the overall header structure while maintaining optimal crop engagement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the crop pick-up reel is moved throughout its range to engage different crop conditions, then harvesting versatility is improved, but the lean bar assembly position becomes misaligned, requiring repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The lean bar is positioned within the hollow reel support arm, utilizing the internal space of the arm structure. This three-dimensional arrangement allows the lean bar to maintain a fixed radial position relative to the reel while the entire assembly moves fore and aft, preserving the position relationship across the full range of motion.
Data Source
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AI summary
A draper header for harvesting agricultural crops includes at least one lean bar assembly for engaging the crops to be harvested prior to a first and a second crop pick-up reel. The first crop pick-up reel is rotatably coupled between an outboard and a center reel support arm of the draper header, and the second crop pick-up reel is rotatably coupled between the center and an outboard reel support arm of the draper header. The first and second crop pick-up reels are selectively moveable in a fore and an aft direction along the inboard, outboard, and center reel support arms for engaging the crops to be harvested. The lean bar assemblies are secured to each of the first and second crop pick-up reels at a predetermined position relative thereto and maintain the predetermined position during selective movement of the first and second crop pick-up reels in the fore and aft directions.