Flexing Row Crop Header With Float Wings for Terraced Fields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing row crop headers struggle to efficiently harvest crops on farmable terraces with steep back-slopes due to their inability to fit or contour to the terrain, leading to reduced harvesting efficiency and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A row crop header with a center section and independently pivotal side wing sections, equipped with a hydraulic or spring float system, allows the side wing sections to pivot relative to the center section, allowing the contour to the field surface, and includes a skid shoe assembly to maintain consistent height and prevent digging, enhancing adaptability to terraced fields.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a typical header frame is used, then harvesting efficiency is improved through larger equipment size, but the header cannot fit into or contour to the back-slopes of farmable terraces
Solution Approach 1:
The header frame is divided into multiple independently movable sections: a center section and at least one side wing section that can pivot relative to the center section. This segmentation allows each section to adapt to different terrain contours while maintaining overall header functionality, enabling the large header to navigate terraced fields that would otherwise be inaccessible.
Solution Approach 2:
The header incorporates a float system with hydraulic or spring actuators that enable dynamic adjustment of the side wing section's position and angle. This dynamic capability allows the header to continuously adapt to varying terrain conditions, maintaining contact with the ground for harvesting while navigating the contours of terraced fields with back-slopes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the header is forced to fit into back-slopes, then adaptability to terraced fields is improved, but harvesting efficiency is compromised due to limited header size
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the header into a center section and independently controllable side wing sections, the invention allows the full-width header to be deployed on level terrain for high-efficiency harvesting, while only the necessary side sections pivot to accommodate terraced configurations, preserving maximum harvesting capacity when terrain permits.
Solution Approach 2:
The header frame is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate as a full-width header on flat or gently sloping terrain for maximum productivity, and selectively reduce its effective width by pivoting side sections when encountering steep back-slopes. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized headers for different terrain types.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the side wing sections are rigidly attached to the center section, then structural stability is improved, but the header cannot contour to the field surface
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the side wing section and center section is made dynamic through pivot points and float system actuators, replacing rigid attachments. This allows the side wing section to change its relative position and angle in response to terrain variations, enabling the header to contour to the field surface while maintaining structural integrity through controlled movement rather than rigid fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The float system acts as an intermediary mechanism between the rigid center section and the side wing section. It provides the necessary flexibility and cushioning, allowing the side wing to pivot and adapt to terrain contours while maintaining a stable connection to the center section, thus resolving the conflict between rigidity and adaptability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If operators hang a portion of the header over the edge of the back-slope, then the header can access terraced fields, but the header cannot maintain consistent height and may cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
The float system with hydraulic or spring actuators provides self-regulating height control for the side wing section. As the terrain contours change, the float mechanism automatically adjusts the side wing's position to maintain a consistent harvesting height, eliminating the need for manual operator intervention to prevent damage or maintain proper cutting depth.
Solution Approach 2:
The float system incorporates feedback through hydraulic pressure sensing or spring deflection measurement, continuously monitoring the contact force between the header and terrain. This feedback enables automatic adjustment of the side wing section's position to maintain optimal harvesting height, preventing both excessive depth that could cause damage and insufficient depth that would reduce harvesting efficiency.
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
The solution enables efficient harvesting on terraced fields with steep slopes by maintaining a consistent header height and preventing damage, thereby improving harvesting efficiency and adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
a first float system including a first hydraulic cylinder configured to float the side wing sections
Implementation Method 2
a first float system including a first spring configured to float the side wing sections
Data Source
AI summary
A row crop header for harvesting crop in a field comprises a header frame having a center section and a pair of side wing sections operatively coupled to the center section. An upper link is pivotally coupled between the center section and each one of the side wing sections adjacent the top portion thereof. A lower link is pivotally coupled between the center section and each one of the side wing sections adjacent the bottom portion thereof. The upper links and lower links provide independent pivotal movement of the side wing sections relative to the center section to contour to the surface of the field of crops to be harvested. An automatic float system is operatively coupled between the center section and each one of the side wing sections to adjust the weight of the side wing sections on the surface of the field and allow the side wing sections to float relative to the center section.