Flexible Draper Header With Feeder House Adapter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional grain harvesting headers with flexible cutterbars are ineffective in receiving and conveying all severed crop material, particularly when following ground contours at high speeds, and fail to control header height effectively, leading to damage when in sliding contact with the ground.
Innovation Solution
The harvesting header incorporates a flexible cutterbar and draper conveyor system with adjustable tilt arms and a header height sensing system, allowing for flexible movement and precise control of the cutterbar and draper assemblies to maintain efficient crop collection and conveyance, even over uneven terrain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the flexible header follows the ground contour at high speed, then the header can adapt to uneven terrain, but the flexible cutterbar becomes ineffective at receiving all severed crop material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the draper conveyor belt movable and adjustable in position relative to the cutterbar. The belt can be shifted laterally and vertically to dynamically adapt to terrain variations while maintaining proper alignment with the cutterbar to ensure complete crop material reception, resolving the contradiction between header flexibility and crop material reception effectiveness
2Adaptability or versatility
If the flexible header follows the ground contour, then the header can navigate uneven terrain, but the header fails to convey all received cut crop material to the feeder house
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through a control system that monitors the position of the cutterbar and draper conveyor belt, and automatically adjusts the belt position to maintain proper alignment. This closed-loop control ensures that crop material is effectively conveyed to the feeder house even when the header follows ground contours, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and productivity
3Quantity of substance
If the header is positioned close to the ground for collecting grain, then most of the grain can be collected, but the header becomes damaged when in sliding contact with the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing a skid plate positioned below the cutterbar that contacts the ground first, cushioning the impact and preventing direct contact between the cutterbar and ground. This protective measure allows the header to operate close to the ground for effective grain collection while preventing damage to critical components
4Quantity of substance
If the flexible header operates in close proximity to the ground, then it can collect most grain, but the header becomes damaged particularly when terrain has significant contour
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary element (skid plate) between the ground and the cutterbar. This skid plate serves as a mediator that absorbs the harmful effects of ground contact, allowing the header to operate close to the ground for effective grain collection while protecting the cutterbar from damage on uneven terrain
Data Source
AI summary
A harvesting machine includes a harvesting header with an adapter, a header frame, a cutterbar assembly attached to the header frame along the length thereof and configured to cut a crop, and a draper assembly positioned behind the cutterbar assembly. The draper assembly includes a fore-and-aft draper that delivers crop material to a feeder house of the harvesting machine. The fore-and-aft draper includes a draper frame swingably supported on the header frame at a pivot to project forwardly therefrom and a draper belt supported on the draper frame to present a rearwardly moving run for conveying the crop rearwardly.