Feederhouse Assembly with Independent Lateral Tilt for Crop Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
As headers get wider and heavier, larger hydraulic cylinders are required for lateral tilt adjustment, straining fixings and weldments, increasing cost and complexity, and causing misalignment issues with crop openings.
Innovation Solution
A feederhouse assembly with curvilinear cutouts and bearings supports a tilt frame, allowing the harvesting header to pivot laterally with aligned crop openings, decoupling lateral and fore-and-aft tilt adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If larger hydraulic cylinders are used to control lateral tilt of wider and heavier headers, then lateral tilt control capability is improved, but structural strain on fixings and weldments increases, and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates lateral tilt adjustment from fore-and-aft tilt adjustment into two independent mechanisms. The lateral tilt is achieved through a pivot axis located within the crop opening, while fore-and-aft tilt is controlled through the feederhouse pivot axis. This segmentation allows each mechanism to be optimized independently, reducing the complexity and size of individual hydraulic systems while maintaining overall functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary pivot axis located within the crop opening that serves as a mediator between the header and the feederhouse for lateral tilt control. This intermediary point allows for more efficient force transmission and reduces the mechanical strain on fixings and weldments compared to direct lateral tilt control from the feederhouse structure.
2Ease of operation
If larger hydraulic cylinders are used for lateral tilt adjustment, then lateral tilt control is improved, but cost and complexity of feederhouse structure increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the tilt control functions into separate lateral and fore-and-aft mechanisms, the invention reduces the size and cost of individual hydraulic components. The lateral tilt mechanism uses a compact pivot axis within the crop opening, eliminating the need for large hydraulic cylinders while maintaining control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The header's own weight and structure are utilized to facilitate the tilt adjustment mechanism. The pivot axis within the crop opening leverages the header's mass and geometry to achieve lateral tilt with minimal additional actuation force, reducing the size and cost of the hydraulic system required.
3Adaptability or versatility
If larger tilt angles are used for lateral adjustment, then adjustment range is improved, but misalignment of crop openings occurs, negatively impacting crop material flow
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the tilt adjustments into two independent rotational movements: lateral tilt around a vertical axis within the crop opening, and fore-and-aft tilt around the feederhouse pivot axis. This segmentation allows the header to achieve a wide range of motion while maintaining proper alignment of the crop openings, as each rotation occurs around an optimized pivot point that preserves the functional relationship between header and feederhouse openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical pivot axis within the crop opening for lateral tilt adjustment, adding a dimensional aspect to the tilt mechanism. This vertical axis allows lateral rotation without compromising the horizontal alignment of the crop openings, enabling independent control of lateral orientation while maintaining proper crop flow alignment.
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
Enables precise lateral tilt control without affecting fore-and-aft tilt, maintaining aligned crop flow and reducing structural strain, thus improving harvesting efficiency and reducing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the bearings roll under the concave guides
Implementation Method 2
the protrusions slide within the cutouts
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A feederhouse assembly (200) for an agricultural harvester (100) includes a feederhouse (202) comprising an inlet end (204) and a body (302) adjacent the inlet end (204). The body (302) defines a crop opening (304) therethrough and a pair of curvilinear cutouts (306) laterally adjacent either side of the crop opening (304). A pair of bearings (308) is secured to the body above the crop opening (304). An agricultural harvester (100) includes a chassis (104), a feederhouse assembly (200) mounted to the chassis (104), and a processing system (112) carried by the chassis (104) and structured to receive crop material from the feederhouse (202). Related methods and non-transitory computer-readable storage media are also disclosed.