Harvester Crop Container Linkage for Collision-Free Extension Folding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crop intake containers for harvesting machines have complex actuating devices that require multiple actuators and mechanisms, leading to potential collisions and increased assembly and operational complexity.
Innovation Solution
A simplified actuating device using a single actuator and characteristic-curve-controlled coupling elements, such as gas springs and hydraulic dampers, to coordinate the movement of opposing extension elements, ensuring sequential and collision-free transitions between transport and receiving positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple actuators and mechanisms are used to control extension elements, then the collection container can achieve complex movement patterns, but the actuating device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating device is segmented into a control unit with a single actuator and multiple independent coupling links. Each coupling link controls a specific extension element, allowing the system to achieve complex coordinated movements through simple modular components rather than multiple complex actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
Coupling links serve as intermediary elements between the single actuator and the extension elements. These coupling links translate the single actuator's movement into coordinated movements of multiple extension elements, eliminating the need for multiple actuators while maintaining movement coordination capability.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple actuators are used to control opposing extension elements, then precise coordinated movement can be achieved, but the risk of collisions between extension elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling links are designed with geometric constraints and mechanical interferences that provide passive feedback control. As extension elements move, the coupling links automatically adjust to maintain proper spacing and prevent collisions, ensuring reliable collision-free operation while achieving precise coordinated movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling links incorporate mechanical features such as stops, guides, and controlled clearance that prevent extension elements from colliding before it can occur. This beforehand cushioning through mechanical design ensures that even if positioning errors occur, collisions are prevented.
3Measurement precision
If multiple actuators and complex mechanisms are employed, then the extension elements can be controlled precisely, but the assembly and maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple simple coupling links instead of one complex multi-actuator mechanism. Each coupling link is an independent, simple component that can be manufactured and assembled separately, significantly easing assembly and maintenance while achieving the same position control accuracy through their coordinated geometric relationships.
4Device complexity
If a single actuator is used to drive all extension elements, then the actuating device is simplified, but the ability to coordinate movement of opposing elements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple coupling links act as intermediaries between the single actuator and the extension elements. These coupling links translate the single actuator's rotational movement into coordinated linear and rotational movements of opposing extension elements, maintaining full coordinated movement capability while using only one simple actuator.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling links utilize multi-dimensional geometric relationships and mechanical constraints to transform the single actuator's one-degree-of-freedom rotation into multi-degree-of-freedom coordinated movements of extension elements in different spatial dimensions, achieving versatile coordinated control from a simple actuator.
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 allows for a cost-effective, efficient, and simplified assembly of the crop intake container with reduced risk of collisions, while maintaining a compact transport configuration and maximizing collection volume during operation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one characteristic-curve-controlled coupling element, designed as a gas spring
Implementation Method 2
characteristic-curve-controlled coupling elements, such as gas springs and hydraulic dampers
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a crop receiving container (2) for a harvesting machine (1), comprising an upwardly open collection container (3) with a substantially polygonal opening cross-section and extension elements (23a, 23b; 24a, 24b) arranged in pairs opposite each other, which are each pivotally connected about a substantially horizontal pivot axis (25) at the edge of an opening (21) of the collection container (3) in order to move the extension elements (23a, 23b, 24a, 24b) from a substantially closed transport position to an open receiving position and vice versa by means of an actuating device (33), wherein the respective opposing extension elements (23a, 23b; 24a, 24b) lie on top of each other in a sandwich-like manner in their transport position, wherein the extension elements (23a, 23b; 24a, 24b) are actuated by a common actuator (34) of the actuating device. (33) are driven, with which the extension elements (23a, 23b;24a, 24b) are connected by coupling elements (35), wherein the actuating device (33) for a temporally and spatially coordinated movement of opposing extension elements (23a, 23b), which form a lower pair in the transport position, comprises at least one characteristic curve-controlled coupling element (47), and that the actuating device (33) for a temporally and spatially coordinated movement of opposing extension elements (24a, 24b), which form an upper pair, comprises a multi-part, in particular two-part, coupling (40), the components of which are axially displaceable.