Motorized Forming Shield Adjustment for Windrow Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the hay and forage industry, existing technologies face challenges in reducing the drying time of cut crops, as they require manual adjustment of crop windrows to optimize exposure to sun and wind, and existing forming shields lack efficient mechanisms for adjusting width and shape to prevent tractor wheel compression and improve harvester efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A crop forming shield system with pivotable forming shields, motors, and a user control system that utilizes rack and pinion gears to adjust the angular position of the shields, allowing for precise control of windrow width and shape, and a method that includes sensors and controllers to automate the positioning of the shields based on user input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If forming shields are made fixed and simple in structure, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different crop width and shape requirements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforming shield structureVSAvoidwindrow width and shape adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The forming shields are made dynamically adjustable through motorized rotation mechanisms. Each forming shield can be independently rotated about its axis to change the angular position of its free end, allowing the system to adapt to different windrow width and shape requirements while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If manual adjustment of forming shields is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and drying efficiency deteriorate due to time-consuming adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment mechanismVSAvoidcrop drying speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Manual mechanical adjustment is replaced with an automated motorized system. Motors are coupled to each forming shield through rack and pinion mechanisms, enabling automatic rotation and positioning of the shields. This substitution eliminates time-consuming manual adjustments and allows for rapid changes in windrow configuration to optimize drying efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If forming shields are made adjustable for optimal crop exposure, then drying efficiency improves, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrop drying efficiencyVSAvoidshield adjustment operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates sensors that automatically detect the position of forming shields and provide feedback to the control system. This self-service capability allows the motors to automatically adjust the shields to the optimal positions for maximum crop exposure to sun and wind, eliminating the need for operators to manually calculate and adjust positions, thereby simplifying operation while maintaining high drying efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If independent adjustment of each forming shield is enabled, then adaptability to different windrow configurations improves, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewindrow configuration flexibilityVSAvoidmotor and control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The forming shield system is divided into segmented, independently controllable units. Each forming shield has its own motor and control mechanism, allowing individual adjustment without affecting other shields. This segmentation enables flexible configuration for different windrow requirements while keeping each control unit simple and modular, which helps manage overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 system enables faster drying of crops by optimizing windrow exposure and shape, reducing the risk of tractor wheel damage, and improving the efficiency of crop pickup for forage harvesters by allowing for precise adjustment of windrow width and location.

Implementation Method 1

a first rack gear coupled to the first forming shield, a second rack gear coupled to the second forming shield, a first pinion gear coupled to the first motor and a second pinion gear coupled to the second motor. The first pinion gear selectively meshes with first rack gear and the second pinion gear selectively meshes with the second rack gear to reposition the corresponding first and second forming shield.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRack and pinion mechanism: Rack and Pinion

Data Source

PatentEP3858130B1Multi mode crop forming shield adjustment mechanism

Publication Date: 2024.04.17 DEERE & CO

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AI summary

A crop forming assembly (130) having a top plate (502) with a first side and a second side, an arc-shaped cutout (610, 1118) defined through the top plate (502), a forming shield (702, 704, 1202, 1204) pivotally coupled to the top plate (502) and positioned on the second side, and a motor (902, 1216, 1220, 1402, 1404) removably coupled to the top plate (502) and configured to engage the forming shield (702, 704, 1202, 1204). Wherein, the motor (902, 1216, 1220, 1402, 1404) engages the forming shield (702, 704, 1202, 1204) to reposition the forming shield (702, 704, 1202, 1204) along the arc-shaped cutout (610, 1118).