Floating Wing Row Crop Header for Steep Terrace Back-Slopes
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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 the need for specialized or compromised harvesting solutions.
Innovation Solution
A row crop header with a center section and independently pivotal side wing sections, equipped with hydraulic or spring float systems, allows the side wing sections to pivot relative to the center section, enabling the header to contour to the field surface, including terraces with varying slopes, while maintaining consistent crop transfer and harvesting efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a typical header with limited or no pivotal capability is used, then the header structure is simple and stable, but the header cannot contour to farmable terraces with steep back-slopes
Solution Approach 1:
The header is divided into multiple independent sections: a center section and at least one side wing section, each capable of independent pivotal movement. This segmentation allows each section to adapt to different terrain contours while maintaining overall header functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The header transitions from a static, rigid structure to a dynamic, adaptable structure through the introduction of pivotal connections between the center section and side wing sections, enabling real-time adjustment to varying terrain conditions.
2Productivity
If the header is designed to be large for increased harvesting efficiency, then productivity increases, but the header cannot fit into existing back-slopes of farmable terraces
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the large header into a center section and side wing sections with independent pivotal capability, the header can maintain its large overall size for high productivity while allowing individual sections to navigate and fit into confined back-slope areas.
3Adaptability or versatility
If operators hang a portion of the header over an edge of the back-slope to harvest, then harvesting can continue on terraces, but harvesting efficiency is compromised and safety is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic pivotal design allows the side wing sections to naturally follow and contour to the terrace edges through controlled movement, eliminating the need to hang the header over edges and enabling efficient, safe harvesting along terrace boundaries.
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 header effectively navigates terraces with steep slopes, ensuring consistent harvesting efficiency by allowing the side wing sections to independently pivot, preventing digging and maintaining a consistent load on skid shoe plates, thus enhancing operational efficiency and adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
A float system is operatively coupled between the center and side wing sections to reduce weight on the side wing sections
Implementation Method 2
A float system is operatively coupled between the center and side wing sections to reduce weight on 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.