Flexible Crop Curtain for Rotary Header Seed Loss Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotary disc cutterbar headers face challenges in harvesting tall, seed-bearing crops like grasses, as the existing short forward opening leads to seed loss due to whipping motion when the crop is not properly positioned, and there is a need for an apparatus that can manage tall crop entry efficiently while maintaining operator visibility.
Innovation Solution
A flexible crop curtain is mounted forwardly and upwardly from the inlet opening of the rotary disc cutterbar header, which gently leans the crop forward to reduce seed loss and can be repositioned when not in use to improve visibility, constructed from durable, inexpensive, and easy-to-assemble materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a rotary disc cutterbar header with a short forward opening is used, then ground speed capability is improved, but seed loss occurs due to whipping motion of tall crops
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible curtain is positioned forwardly and upwardly from the inlet opening to preliminarily position the tall crop material before it enters the header. This preliminary action leans the crop forward and prevents the whipping motion that causes seed loss, allowing the rotary disc cutterbar to operate at high ground speeds without the harmful effects on seed-bearing crops
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible curtain acts as an intermediary element between the tall crop and the rotary disc cutterbar header. It mediates the interaction by gently positioning the crop material in a controlled manner, preventing direct harmful contact between the fast-moving header and the vulnerable seed-bearing crop
2Ease of operation
If a protective curtain is added to prevent debris ejection, then crop flow control is improved, but operator visibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible curtain is designed to be dynamic rather than fixed. It can be repositioned when not in use to maintain operability visibility, adapting its position based on operational needs. This dynamic characteristic allows it to provide crop flow control when needed while not obstructing visibility during non-operational periods
Solution Approach 2:
The curtain's position and configuration parameters can be changed based on operational requirements. By adjusting its position forwardly and upwardly from the inlet opening, it optimizes crop flow control while minimizing impact on operator visibility through strategic positioning rather than complete obstruction
3Ease of operation
If the flexible curtain is positioned forwardly and upwardly to manage tall crop entry, then crop positioning is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible curtain made of flexible material rather than a rigid complex structure. This flexible shell approach achieves effective crop positioning by gently leaning the crop forward through its flexible, adaptive surface, simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining operational effectiveness
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible tall crop knockdown barrier for use with rotary cutting headers in harvesting specialty crops such as grass seed. The knockdown barrier comprises a support frame mounted to the front of the header that extends forwardly and upwardly ahead of the header. A flexible barrier supported by the frame extends downwardly during idle conditions and downwardly and rearwardly as the header is propelled through the crop. The flexible curtain may be rolled around a lower spool and stowed on the support frame when not in use to improve visibility. The knockdown barrier serves to gently lean the crop forward before cutting so as to minimize seed shatter due whipping of the seed head.