Forage Harvester Accelerator Gap Adjustment With Lever Ratio
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing self-propelled forage harvesters have limited adjustment range and speed in the post-acceleration device, which affects the efficiency of crop material acceleration, particularly under varying harvesting conditions.
Innovation Solution
A self-propelled forage harvester with a post-acceleration device that utilizes a gap-changing mechanism with a linear actuator and lever arrangement, allowing for a wider adjustment range and increased speed of the crop passage gap, with a lever ratio between 1.01 and 1.2, enabling precise adjustment from 2 mm to 80 mm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a hydraulic cylinder with eccentric shaft and lever assembly is used for gap adjustment, then the gap can be adjusted, but the adjustment range is limited and the adjustment speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a dynamic lever ratio mechanism where the lever arms are positioned to create a ratio between 1.01 and 1.2, allowing the system to dynamically optimize between force transmission and movement speed. This dynamic configuration enables the post-acceleration device to achieve both wide adjustment range (2-80 mm) and fast adjustment speed by strategically positioning the pivot points on the lever arms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the critical parameter of lever arm positioning to optimize system performance. By adjusting the lever ratio to a specific range (1.01-1.2), the system transforms the trade-off between adjustment range and speed, enabling both parameters to be improved simultaneously through precise geometric configuration of the lever assembly.
2Speed
If the lever ratio is increased to improve adjustment speed, then adjustment speed increases, but force transmission decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the lever ratio parameter to a specific range (1.01-1.2) that balances force transmission and adjustment speed. This parameter optimization ensures that sufficient force is transmitted to move the post-acceleration device while maintaining fast adjustment response, resolving the trade-off between these two critical parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic lever ratio mechanism allows the system to maintain optimal force transmission characteristics while achieving high adjustment speeds. The specific geometric configuration of the lever arms creates a balanced mechanical advantage that preserves force transmission capability even at higher adjustment speeds.
3Force
If the lever ratio is decreased to improve force transmission, then force transmission improves, but adjustment speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent sets the lever ratio within the optimal range of 1.01-1.2, which provides sufficient force transmission while maintaining fast adjustment speed. This parameter optimization prevents the system from entering the regime where force transmission improves but speed deteriorates, by carefully selecting the geometric configuration of the lever arms.
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 provides precise adjustment of small gaps for dry crops and low throughput, while allowing quick adjustment for larger gaps, optimizing energy efficiency and responsiveness to varying crop conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a lever arrangement which is articulated at a second pivot point spaced apart from the first pivot point on the coupling element. According to the invention, a first lever arm is formed between the stationary axis and the first pivot point, and a second lever arm is formed between the stationary axis and the second pivot point on the coupling element
Implementation Method 2
the lever ratio between the second lever arm and the first lever arm is between 1.01 and 1.2, in particular between 1.07 and 1.17
Implementation Method 3
the gap-changing device comprises at least a linear actuator which is articulated at a first pivot point on a coupling element
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a self-propelled forage harvester (1) with a post-acceleration element (12) rotating about a pivot axis (16) for variable acceleration of crop material, wherein the pivot axis (16) is supported at its ends in guides (17) which are slidably arranged in guide sections (18) on side walls that define a housing (32) at least partially enclosing the post-acceleration element (12), wherein the width of a crop passage gap (14) of the post-acceleration element (12) can be adjusted by means of a gap-changing device (19) for variable acceleration of the crop material, wherein the gap-changing device (19) comprises at least one linear actuator (21) which is articulated at a first pivot point (24) to a coupling element (22) arranged to be rotatable or pivotable about an axis (25) relative to the post-acceleration element (12), and a lever arrangement (23), which in a second,The coupling element (22) comprises a pivot point (26) spaced apart from the first pivot point (24), wherein a first lever arm (27) is formed between the stationary axis (25) and the first pivot point (24), and a second lever arm (28) is formed between the stationary axis (25) and the second pivot point (26) on the coupling element (22), wherein the lever ratio between the second lever arm (28) and the first lever arm (27) is between 1.01 and 1.2, in particular between 1.07 and 1.17.