Flexible Row Crop Header Terrain Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional corn headers struggle to follow the contours of rolling terrain, leading to missed corn rows due to their fixed design, especially with wider headers, resulting in inefficiencies and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A flexible corn header that articulates by raising and lowering sections to adapt to terrain changes, utilizing a pivot assembly and modified auger center suspension, allowing independent or simultaneous movement of header wings to maintain optimal harvesting height across varying terrain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed design header is used, then the structure is simple and stable, but it cannot follow the contours of rolling terrain, leading to missed corn rows
Solution Approach 1:
The header is divided into multiple independently adjustable sections (left wing, center section, right wing) that can be raised or lowered separately. Each section can be positioned independently to follow the terrain contours, allowing the header to adapt to rolling terrain while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The header transitions from a fixed static design to a dynamic adjustable design. Hydraulic cylinders enable each section to be raised or lowered during operation to match the terrain profile, providing adaptability without requiring complete structural redesign.
2Productivity
If the header height is lowered to harvest lower corn rows, then more corn is harvested, but the header runs aground on uneven terrain
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the header into adjustable sections, each section can be independently positioned to clear obstacles or follow terrain dips, allowing the header to maintain lower overall positioning for better harvesting while preventing any single section from running aground.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the header can have different vertical positions tailored to local terrain conditions. Sections over dips or obstacles can be raised locally, while other sections maintain lower positions for effective harvesting, optimizing both productivity and reliability.
3Reliability
If the header height is raised to avoid running aground, then operational reliability improves, but corn rows are missed
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented design allows each section to be positioned at the optimal height for its local terrain conditions, ensuring reliable operation without sacrificing harvesting efficiency. Sections can be individually adjusted to prevent grounding while maintaining contact with corn rows.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional fixed header is used on rolling terrain, then the header structure remains simple, but sections of the header run aground while other sections miss corn
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the header into adjustable sections provides terrain adaptation capability while maintaining operational simplicity. Each section can be independently controlled through straightforward hydraulic mechanisms, avoiding excessive operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The header sections can be automatically positioned using hydraulic systems that respond to terrain variations, reducing the need for constant manual adjustment while maintaining adaptability to rolling terrain.
Data Source
AI summary
A row crop header for a harvester having a subframe removably coupleable to a feeder housing of the harvester. A pivot assembly is supported by the subframe permitting first and second header sections to pivotably move between raised and lowered positions together or independently of the other. A cross-auger center suspension assembly rotateably supports one end of the first cross-auger section and one end of the second cross-auger section as the first and second header sections pivotally move between the raised and lowered positions.