Harvester Header Actuator Displaces Cutterbar Table to Prevent Auger Damage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Harvested crop often becomes stuck between the auger and the frame of harvesting machines, leading to operational inefficiencies and potential damage to components during attempts to remove it.

Innovation Solution

A control system is implemented in the header of a combine harvester that includes an actuator assembly to displace the cutterbar table away from the intake auger to a safe position before reversing the rotational direction of the auger, preventing damage and ensuring effective crop removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the cutterbar table is positioned close to the intake auger for efficient crop cutting and transport, then harvesting productivity is improved, but the risk of crop becoming stuck and causing damage between the cutterbar table and intake auger increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharvesting efficiencyVSAvoidcrop entanglement and component damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control system performs preliminary action by detecting crop entanglement early through sensors and automatically displacing the cutterbar table away from the intake auger before damage occurs. This preventive displacement eliminates the need for manual intervention and prevents harmful interactions between the cutterbar table and intake auger.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback through sensors that continuously monitor the space between the cutterbar table and intake auger for signs of crop entanglement. When entanglement is detected, the control system receives feedback and automatically adjusts the cutterbar table position, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents damage while maintaining optimal harvesting conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the cutterbar table is displaced away from the intake auger to remove stuck crop, then component damage is prevented, but harvesting productivity decreases due to operational interruption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent protectionVSAvoidharvesting output

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies self-service by automatically detecting crop entanglement and displacing the cutterbar table without requiring operator intervention. The control system manages the entire process autonomously, minimizing operational interruptions and maintaining productivity while protecting components from damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses periodic sensing and automatic adjustment to manage crop entanglement. Sensors continuously monitor conditions, and the cutterbar table is periodically displaced only when necessary, allowing the harvesting operation to proceed at optimal speed while preventing damage through intermittent protective actions rather than continuous disruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If manual intervention is used to remove stuck crop, then component damage can be avoided, but operational time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage preventionVSAvoidoperational interruption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual mechanical intervention with an automated control system that uses sensors and actuators to detect and resolve crop entanglement. This substitution eliminates the need for operators to manually stop the machine and clear blockages, significantly reducing operational interruptions and maintaining productivity while ensuring component protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The automated system performs self-service by autonomously detecting crop entanglement through sensors and executing the displacement of the cutterbar table without human intervention. This self-managing capability eliminates time losses associated with manual intervention while maintaining reliable component protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3066911B1Header for a harvesting machine including a displaceable cutterbar table

Publication Date: 2018.08.22 CNH IND BELGIUM NV

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Figure 2(a)~2(b)
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AI summary

A header (100) for a combine harvester is described, the header comprising a frame (110), a cutterbar table (130) that is movably mounted to the frame (110), the cutterbar table (130) being configured to cut a standing crop, an intake auger (120) mounted to the frame (110) and configured to receive the cut crop; the intake auger (120) further being configured to rotate, during a normal state, in a predetermined direction, and to rotate, during a corrective state, in a predetermined reversed direction, an actuator assembly (140) configured to displace the cutterbar table (130) relative to the frame (110), thereby changing a distance between the cutterbar table (130) and the intake auger (120), a control unit (170) for controlling the actuator assembly (140)) and the intake auger (120), the control unit (170) being configured to, upon receipt of an error signal (176) indicative of a need to operate in the corrective state control the actuator assembly (140) to displace the cutterbar table (130) away from the intake auger (120) to a safe operating position, prior to controlling the intake auger (120) to rotate in the predetermined reversed direction.