Feederhouse Header Mounting Hook and Sill Plate Angle Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing feederhouse arrangements for agricultural combines are complex and expensive to manufacture and maintain, limiting the ability to adjust the angle of the header with respect to the ground effectively for optimal harvesting performance.

Innovation Solution

A feederhouse arrangement featuring a sill plate, a mounting hook with adjustable positions, and a locking pin system allows the header to be positioned at different angles by sliding the mounting hook within a sleeve, enabling the header to be securely locked at various angles relative to the feederhouse and ground.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a complex tilt assembly with metal frame and pin mechanism is used to adjust header angle, then the header angle can be changed, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheader angle adjustment capabilityVSAvoidtilt assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tilt assembly is segmented into discrete positioning points along the sill plate, with the mounting hook able to lock at specific locations. This segmentation provides angle adjustment capability while keeping the structure simple, avoiding the need for a complex continuous adjustment mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the essential function of angle adjustment by removing the complex pin and frame mechanism. Instead, it uses a simple mounting hook that can be positioned and locked at different locations along the sill plate, retaining only the necessary positioning function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a complex tilt assembly with metal frame and pin mechanism is used to adjust header angle, then the header angle can be changed, but the manufacturing and maintenance cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheader angle adjustment capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing and maintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting hook and locking mechanism are designed as simple, inexpensive components that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. The sill plate with pre-drilled holes provides a low-cost positioning system, eliminating the need for expensive metal frames and complex pin mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a complex mechanism to actively adjust the angle, the invention inverts the approach by providing fixed positioning points along the sill plate and allowing the mounting hook to passively lock at the desired location. This reverses the traditional active adjustment mechanism with a passive positioning system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the mounting hook is positioned farther forward on the sill plate, then the header angle with respect to the ground increases, but the header becomes less stable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheader angle adjustmentVSAvoidheader stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The sill plate extends beyond what would be minimally necessary, providing multiple positioning points that allow the operator to select the optimal location for both angle adjustment and stability. This excessive extension of the sill plate enables fine-tuning of the header position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the positional parameter of the mounting hook along the sill plate to adjust the header angle. By varying this single parameter (position along the sill plate), the system achieves angle adjustment while maintaining stability through proper selection of locking positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2989882B1Feederhouse arrangement for mounting a header to a combine

Publication Date: 2017.06.14 DEERE & CO

Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3

AI summary

A feederhouse (28) is disclosed for attaching a header (54) to an agricultural combine (20). A sill plate (60) is attached to the feederhouse, wherein the sill plate supports a support beam (56) of the header during operation of the header. A mounting hook (64) with a hooked end (82) is supported for forward and rearward movement with respect to the sill plate. A locking pin (124) is configured to lock the mounting hook at either of a first position and a second position with respect to the sill plate. When the support beam is supported by the sill plate and the mounting hook is locked in the first position, the header is disposed at a first angle with respect to the feederhouse. When the support beam is supported by the sill plate and the mounting hook is locked in the second position, the header is disposed at a second angle with respect to the feederhouse.