Folding Corn Header With Pivotable Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large corn headers fill the grain tank of agricultural vehicles to capacity quickly, limiting the travel distance before unloading, as corn yields and header widths increase, necessitating a solution to vary the amount of crop material harvested.
Innovation Solution
A folding header with a center section and pivotally coupled additional sections, allowing the header to be selectively configured between operational and nonoperational positions to adjust the amount of crop material harvested, enabling greater control over grain tank filling and extended travel distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the corn header width is increased to harvest more crop material, then harvesting efficiency is improved, but the grain tank fills to capacity too quickly, limiting travel distance
Solution Approach 1:
The corn header is divided into a center section and additional foldable sections. The additional sections can be selectively deployed to increase harvesting width when needed, or folded away to reduce width when the grain tank is approaching capacity, allowing operators to adjust harvesting productivity based on real-time grain tank status and field conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The header width is made dynamically adjustable through foldable additional sections that can be raised or lowered as needed. This dynamic configuration allows the header to adapt its harvesting width during operation, enabling operators to reduce width when the grain tank is filling quickly to extend travel distance between unloading stops.
2Quantity of substance
If the corn header width is increased to harvest more crop material, then the amount of crop material harvested is increased, but the grain tank capacity is reached more quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The header is segmented into a permanent center section and optional additional sections. By selectively deploying only the necessary number of additional sections, operators can precisely control the harvesting width to match the rate at which the grain tank can be filled, optimizing the balance between crop material harvested and travel distance to unloading location.
Solution Approach 2:
The header width parameter is made variable through the foldable additional sections. Operators can change the header width parameter by raising or lowering sections, allowing direct control over the quantity of crop material harvested per pass and consequently the rate at which the grain tank fills, thereby extending travel distance between unloading stops.
3Length of moving object
If a folding header design is implemented to reduce width, then transportation capability is improved, but the header must be reconfigured between harvesting and transportation modes
Solution Approach 1:
The header is divided into a fixed center section and separate foldable additional sections. This segmentation allows the additional sections to be independently raised for transportation without affecting the structural integrity of the center section, simplifying the reconfiguration process compared to folding the entire header.
Solution Approach 2:
The additional sections are designed with hydraulic or mechanical raise/lower mechanisms that allow quick transition between deployed and stowed positions. This dynamic design enables rapid reconfiguration between harvesting and transportation modes without complex disassembly or reassembly procedures.
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 folding header allows operators to choose the amount of crop material harvested, preventing grain tank overflow and enabling longer travel distances without reaching maximum capacity, thus optimizing harvesting efficiency and transportation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one additional section pivotally coupled to one of the lateral ends of the center section and operably coupled to the at least one drive assembly. The at least one additional section is selectively pivotable between an operational position in which said at least one additional section engages with said at least one drive assembly and a nonoperational position in which said at least one additional section disengages with said at least one drive assembly.
Data Source
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AI summary
An agricultural vehicle (100) including a chassis (102), at least one power take off member, and a folding header (200) operably coupled to the agricultural vehicle (100) and supported by the chassis (102). The folding header (200) includes a center section (210) operably coupled to the chassis (102). The center section (210) includes a pair of lateral ends (214A, 214B) and at least one drive assembly (230) operably coupled to the at least one power take off member. The folding header (200) also includes at least one additional section (220A, 220B) pivotally coupled to one of the lateral ends (214A, 214B) of the center section (210) and operably coupled to the at least one drive assembly (230). The at least one additional section (220A, 220B) is selectively pivotable between an operational position and a nonoperational position. The center section (210) is configured to harvest a crop material in both of the operational position and nonoperational position of the at least one additional section (220A, 220B).