Draper Platform Breakaway Pivot Joint Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Draper platforms in agricultural combines with pivoting frames are prone to damage at pivot joints due to concentrated impact forces, and existing solutions do not effectively allow the frame to yield while maintaining support and preventing components from falling or being dragged.
Innovation Solution
A draper platform design featuring a center frame section and wing frame sections with a break-away pivot joint system, including a hinge joint with a replaceable pivot pin that shears under excessive load, allowing the wing frame sections to pivot rearwardly and maintain support above the ground, preventing damage and facilitating easy repair.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the frame sections are made lighter per unit length to limit weight, then the overall weight is reduced, but the frame becomes more prone to damage at pivot joints when hitting obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is divided into multiple sections (center frame section and wing frame sections) connected by pivot joints. This segmentation allows the frame to flex and absorb impact forces at the joints rather than requiring the entire frame to be heavy and rigid, thus reducing overall weight while maintaining impact resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot pins are designed as sacrificial, replaceable components that can break away under excessive impact loads to protect the more expensive and critical frame sections. These pins are intentionally made as weak points that can fail safely, allowing the frame to yield without catastrophic damage.
2Length of moving object
If the frame sections are made longer to enable wider harvesting heads, then more crop can be harvested, but the frame becomes more susceptible to damage at pivot joints
Solution Approach 1:
The longer frame is segmented into multiple sections connected by pivot joints, allowing the frame to flex and absorb impact forces rather than transmitting them through the entire length. This enables longer frames for wider harvesting heads while maintaining damage resistance through controlled flexibility at the joints.
3Strength
If the frame is made flexible to yield under impact, then damage is prevented, but the conveyor belts can change tension or alignment and be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot joints act as intermediaries between the frame sections and conveyor belts, providing a controlled mechanism for frame flexion that isolates the conveyor belts from direct impact forces. The joints allow necessary movement while maintaining adequate belt tension and alignment through their mechanical design.
4Strength
If the pivot joint breaks away under excessive load, then the frame can yield to impact, but the wing section may fall on the ground and be dragged behind the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot joint is designed with a breakaway mechanism that activates before catastrophic failure occurs. When excessive load is detected, the joint cleanly separates in a predetermined manner, allowing the wing section to pivot upward and remain supported above ground level, preventing dragging and further damage.
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 design enhances the durability of draper platforms by allowing controlled yield under impact, preventing damage and enabling easy repair by maintaining the frame's structural integrity and allowing for safe transport back to a repair shop.
Implementation Method 1
a bolt breaks due to excessive tensile load
Implementation Method 2
a bolt breaks due to excessive tensile load and the clamp halves spread apart
Data Source
AI summary
A draper platform (100) for mounting on the feederhouse of an agricultural combine, comprises a center frame section (104) configured to be supported on the feederhouse and supporting a first endless conveyor belt (132, 126); a wing frame section (102, 106) configured to be supported on a first side of the center frame section (104) and having a second endless conveyor belt (124, 130); and a first pivot joint (110, 114) coupling the center frame section (104) to the wing frame section (102, 106), the first pivot joint (110, 114) constraining the wing frame section (102, 106) to pivot with respect to the center frame section (104) about a generally horizontal and forwardly extending axis (108, 112), the first pivot joint comprising first, second, and third pivot couplings (308, 310, 334), wherein the first pivot coupling is a break-away coupling and is disposed forward of the second pivot coupling (310) and the third pivot coupling (334).