Harvester Elevator Damper System for Impact Absorption

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Harvesting machines for tall and stalky plants, such as sugarcane and sweet sorghum, face structural damage due to rigid supporting mechanisms that fail to absorb impacts from uneven terrain, leading to potential damage to hydraulic arms and other components, affecting productivity and requiring costly maintenance.

Innovation Solution

An elevator set with a damper system comprising sliding elements and hydraulic pistons that absorb impacts, allowing rotational movement and reducing strain on supporting mechanisms, thereby minimizing damage from terrain unevenness and collisions with trans-shipments or trucks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid supporting mechanism is used to anchor the elevator set, then the elevator set is kept stable in position, but the structure sustains sharp impacts that can damage hydraulic arms and other components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of elevator set positionVSAvoidimpact damage to hydraulic arms and components

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the rigid, fixed supporting mechanism with a dynamic damper system that allows controlled movement. The damper system comprises a first element fixed to the elevator set and a second element fixed to the machine, connected by a damper that permits relative motion. This dynamic configuration allows the elevator set to absorb impacts from uneven terrain and collisions with trans-shipments or trucks, preventing damage to hydraulic arms and other components while maintaining operational stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the elevator set is anchored immovably to the machine structure, then the elevator remains in position, but impacts are directly transferred to the primary extractor system causing potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of elevator positioningVSAvoidstrength of primary extractor system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a damper system as a mediator between the elevator set and the machine structure. The damper system comprises connection elements that link the elevator set to the machine, but these connection elements include dampers that absorb and dissipate impact energy. This intermediary damper system prevents direct transfer of sharp impacts to the primary extractor system and other critical components, thereby protecting the strength of the machine structure while maintaining reliable elevator positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If a heavy metal structure is used for the elevator set, then the mechanism is strong enough to handle harvested material, but the weight increases the risk of damage from impacts on uneven terrain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrength of elevator set structureVSAvoidimpact damage from uneven terrain

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by equipping the heavy metal elevator set structure with a damper system that enables controlled movement. The damper system comprises dampers integrated into the supporting mechanism, allowing the heavy structure to absorb and dissipate impact energy from uneven terrain. This maintains the necessary structural strength for handling harvested material while reducing the harmful effects of impacts through the dynamic damping capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 damper system effectively reduces the risk of damage to the elevator set and the harvesting machine by absorbing impacts, minimizing downtime and maintenance costs, and ensuring continuous operation by allowing angular movement without straining the supporting mechanisms.

Implementation Method 1

designed to provide the damping effect in response to any impacts caused to the structure of the elevator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

a damper system which is basically formed by a first element and a second element... at least a connection element is fixed, on the one hand, to said second element and, on the other hand, on a portion of the chassis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentUS11844312B2Elevator set of a harvesting machine and harvesting machine

Publication Date: 2023.12.19 BLUE LEAF I P INC

AI summary

An elevator set for a harvesting machine, such as cane harvesters, capable of providing a damping effect in response to impacts caused to the elevator set during activities in a field. The elevator set includes an elevator housing and an elevator which extends inside the elevator housing between a lower proximal end and an upper distal end. The lower proximal end is fixed to a chassis of the machine, and the upper distal end has an opening for discharging harvested material. The elevator set has a damper system that includes a first element and a second element. The first element is disposed on the elevator housing, and the second element is encased into said first element in a sliding relationship. A connection element is fixed, at one end, to the second element and, on another end, to a portion of the chassis of the machine.