Flexible-Joint Draper Header for Terrain-Following Crop Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural headers face challenges in efficiently conveying cut crops from a cutter bar to the feederhouse of a harvester, particularly in navigating varying terrain and maintaining effective crop transport across the direction of travel.
Innovation Solution
The agricultural header incorporates a joint system allowing for relative fore-aft and lateral translation between frames, enabling terrain-following capabilities and efficient crop transport through a combination of side and center draper belts that work in tandem to convey cut crops rearwardly towards the harvester.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid frame structure is used to support draper belts, then structural strength and stability are improved, but adaptability to varying terrain deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is divided into multiple segments (first frame, second frame, third frame) connected by joints. This segmentation allows each segment to maintain structural strength while the connections between segments provide flexibility to adapt to terrain variations, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure transitions from a static rigid design to a dynamic articulated system with joints that enable relative movement. The joints allow the frame to dynamically adjust its configuration in response to terrain changes while maintaining structural integrity through controlled movement between segments.
2Ease of manufacture
If fixed frame positions are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but crop transport efficiency on varying terrain deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is segmented into movable sections connected by joints, allowing relatively simple manufacturing of individual components that can be assembled into a flexible system. This segmentation maintains ease of manufacture while enabling terrain adaptation for efficient crop transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated frame structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, enables terrain following, and maintains crop transport efficiency across varying conditions. This multi-functionality achieves productivity improvement without significantly complicating manufacturing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If side draper belts convey crop to center draper belt, then crop collection coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side draper belts and center draper belt are merged into a coordinated conveyance system where side belts laterally move crop to the center belt, which then conveys it rearwardly. This merging of functions improves crop collection coverage while the integrated design minimizes additional complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural header for use with an agricultural harvester is configured to cut crop when the agricultural harvester moves in a direction of travel. The agricultural header comprises a first frame, a side draper belt supported by the first frame and positioned to receive cut crop and advance cut crop laterally relative to the direction of travel, a second frame, a center draper belt supported by the second frame and positioned in register with the side draper belt to receive cut crop laterally therefrom and advance cut crop rearwardly toward the agricultural harvester opposite to the direction of travel, and a joint interconnecting the first frame and the second frame and enabling relative fore-aft and lateral translation between the first frame and the second frame.