Harvester Header Composite Steel Aluminum Weight

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing harvesting attachments for agricultural machines, such as combine harvesters, face challenges in reducing weight and increasing length while minimizing manufacturing costs, and often compromise on material strength and durability.

Innovation Solution

The harvesting attachment incorporates a combination of high-strength steel for high-stress areas and lightweight aluminum or aluminum-containing materials for other components, allowing for a reduced weight and increased length while maintaining structural integrity and reducing manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If high-strength steel is used for the entire header, then strength and durability are improved, but weight increases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestrengthVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The header applies different material properties to different regions: high-strength steel is used for the central part subjected to high stresses, while lighter aluminum material is used for the outer parts and bottom wall where lower strength is sufficient. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing strength where needed while reducing overall weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The header employs a composite construction combining two different materials - high-strength steel for the central part and aluminum for the outer parts and bottom wall. This composite approach allows the header to achieve both high strength in critical areas and reduced overall weight, resolving the contradiction between strength and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If high-strength steel is used for the entire header, then strength is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestrengthVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The header applies different material properties to different regions: high-strength steel is used for the central part subjected to high stresses, while lighter aluminum material is used for the outer parts and bottom wall where lower strength is sufficient. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing strength where needed while reducing overall weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The header employs a composite construction combining two different materials - high-strength steel for the central part and aluminum for the outer parts and bottom wall. This composite approach allows the header to achieve both high strength in critical areas and reduced overall weight, resolving the contradiction between strength and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Length of moving object

If the header length is increased, then harvesting capacity is improved, but structural integrity and strength are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovelengthVSAvoidstrength

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The header applies different material properties to different regions: high-strength steel is used for the central part subjected to high stresses, while lighter aluminum material is used for the outer parts and bottom wall where lower strength is sufficient. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing strength where needed while reducing overall weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The header employs a composite construction combining two different materials - high-strength steel for the central part and aluminum for the outer parts and bottom wall. This composite approach allows the header to achieve both high strength in critical areas and reduced overall weight, resolving the contradiction between strength and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP2861052B1Harvesting attachment for a harvester

Publication Date: 2017.09.13 BISO SCHRATTENECKER

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AI summary

A harvesting attachment for a harvester comprises a frame (1) that has a rear wall (2) and a base wall (3). To improve a harvesting attachment of this type, the rear wall (2) comprises a central part (5) and two outer parts (6). The central part (5) of the rear wall (2) is made of a high-tensile material.