Harvester Header Hydraulic Adjustment for Crop Conveyor Clearance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural harvesting machines face limitations in adjusting the distance between the crop conveying device and the base plate, restricting the permissible spring force and preload, which can lead to blockages and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A double-acting hydraulic cylinder is used to push or pull the crop conveying device towards or away from the base plate, with an additional piston limiting its movement, allowing adjustable and flexible positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single-acting hydraulic cylinder with spring element is used to lift the crop conveying device, then the device can be raised, but the permissible spring force and preload are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by using a double-acting hydraulic cylinder instead of a single-acting cylinder with spring element. The hydraulic cylinder actively pushes the crop conveying device towards the base plate, reversing the passive spring-based lifting mechanism. This allows controlled movement in both directions (towards and away from the base plate) while enabling higher forces without being limited by spring permissible loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic technology with a double-acting hydraulic cylinder that uses hydraulic pressure to generate force. The hydraulic system can deliver high forces in both extension and retraction strokes, replacing the mechanical spring element system. This hydraulic approach overcomes the force limitations of spring elements while maintaining ease of operation through controlled hydraulic actuation.
2Productivity
If the crop conveying device is pressed strongly towards the base plate, then conveying efficiency improves, but blockages occur more frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the crop conveying device position through a double-acting hydraulic cylinder with adjustable stroke. The device can be dynamically positioned at optimal distances from the base plate during operation, and quickly adjusted when blockages occur. This dynamic adjustability allows the system to maintain high conveying efficiency during normal operation while enabling rapid response to prevent or clear blockages, resolving the contradiction between pressing force and blockage frequency.
3Device complexity
If the distance between crop conveying device and base plate is fixed, then structural simplicity is maintained, but operational flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed distance structure into a dynamic, adjustable system using a double-acting hydraulic cylinder. The cylinder can be controlled to position the crop conveying device at various distances from the base plate, providing operational flexibility. The hydraulic system includes controls that allow operators to adjust the device position based on crop conditions, conveying requirements, and blockage prevention needs, while maintaining relatively simple structural integration into the existing harvester framework.
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
Enables easy removal of blockages and enhances operational efficiency by allowing adjustable distance adjustment between the conveying device and the base plate, improving the handling of harvested crops.
Implementation Method 1
at least one hydraulic cylinder (18) which is articulated at a first end (18a) directly or indirectly to the main frame (11) and at an opposite second end (18b) articulated to a support (15) or to an auxiliary frame (19) and is configured to push or pull the crop conveying device (12) towards the base plate (14)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A front attachment (10) for an agricultural harvesting machine, comprising a main frame (11) designed for coupling the front attachment (10) to the agricultural harvesting machine, and a crop conveying device (12) attached to the main frame (11) via supports (15) such that the crop conveying device (12) is rotatably mounted on the supports (15) and is pivotable together with the supports (15) relative to the main frame (11), wherein the crop conveying device (12) is configured to convey the crop in conjunction with a base plate (14). At least one hydraulic cylinder (18) acts directly or indirectly on the main frame (11) and on at least one support (15) or on an auxiliary frame (19) connected to the supports (15), and is configured to push or pull the crop conveying device (12) towards the base plate.Each hydraulic cylinder (18) has a cylinder (20), a first piston (21) which can be moved in the cylinder (20) and a further piston (35) which can also be moved in the cylinder (20) and which is designed to limit the movement of the first piston (21) and thus the movement of the crop conveying device (12) towards the base plate (14).