Fluffer Assembly for Crop Drying Compaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the hay and forage industry, wide swaths of cut crop are desirable for faster drying, but they can be compacted by tractor wheels, prolonging the drying time if the windrow is too wide, which hinders moisture evaporation and sun exposure.
Innovation Solution
A mower-conditioner assembly with a fluffer assembly that includes an elongated roll and crop moving elements, such as tines or brushes, to fluff and distribute the cut crop evenly, reducing compaction and enhancing airflow and sun exposure for faster drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the windrow or swath of cut crop is made wide to maximize exposure to sun and wind, then drying speed is improved, but the crop can be compacted by tractor wheels which prolongs drying time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the crop discharge into multiple segments by using multiple augers (first auger, second auger) that deposit crop at different locations. This segmentation allows the windrow to be placed in sections, reducing the likelihood of single-point compaction by tractor wheels while maintaining overall wide coverage for drying.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a fluffer assembly as an intermediary device between the augers and the ground. The fluffer assembly includes fluffer elements that actively lift and aerate the deposited crop, counteracting compaction forces from tractor wheels and creating porous structure that facilitates continued drying despite the presence of wide windrows.
2Illumination intensity
If the windrow is made too wide, then sun exposure is maximized, but tractor wheels run over portions of the crop causing compaction
Solution Approach 1:
By using multiple augers to deposit crop in segmented sections across a wide area, the patent maximizes sun exposure across the entire windrow width while distributing the crop in a way that reduces concentrated compaction zones where tractor wheels would otherwise run over the same areas repeatedly.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluffer assembly acts as an intermediary that continuously aerates and loosens the crop after deposition, maintaining porous structure and preventing permanent compaction even when tractor wheels pass over wide portions of the windrow. This allows the windrow to be made wide for maximum sun exposure without sacrificing drying efficiency.
3Device complexity
If crop is deposited in a single location to simplify the system, then device complexity is reduced, but drying efficiency decreases due to compaction and reduced airflow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple augers (first and second augers) that deposit crop at different locations, segmenting the deposition process. This increases device complexity slightly but dramatically improves drying efficiency by creating a distributed windrow structure with better airflow characteristics and reduced compaction, allowing crop to dry faster across the entire deposited area.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluffer assembly serves as an intermediary device that enhances drying efficiency by aerating the deposited crop. Despite adding to system complexity, it creates porous structure that facilitates airflow and moisture evaporation, significantly improving drying efficiency compared to single-location deposition while maintaining manageable system complexity through the use of relatively simple mechanical fluffer elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A harvesting header of an agricultural machine includes a frame, a cutting mechanism coupled to the frame and configured to cut crop, an auger rotatably coupled to the frame at a location rearward of the cutting mechanism, and an impeller rotatably coupled to the frame at a location rearward of the auger. The impeller is configured to receive crop from the auger and condition the cut crop. The crop is projected by the auger in a rearward and upward direction relative to the impeller.