Harvester Header Hydraulic Preload for Crop Conveying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural harvesting machines face challenges in achieving optimal crop transport due to limitations in the preload between the crop conveying device and the base plate, which are often restricted by the spring force of spring elements, leading to inefficiencies in crop handling.
Innovation Solution
The use of at least one hydraulic cylinder, preferably double-acting, to directly or indirectly act on the main frame and supports, providing a defined preload between the crop conveying device and the base plate, allowing for adjustable and increased preload without increasing installation space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If spring elements are used to provide preload between the crop conveying device and the base plate, then the crop conveying device is pushed towards the base plate, but the preload is limited by the spring force and cannot be increased further
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hydraulic cylinder to replace the spring element for providing preload. The hydraulic cylinder can generate and adjust the preload force hydraulically, overcoming the limitation of fixed spring force. The hydraulic system allows continuous adjustment of preload magnitude, enabling adaptability to different harvesting conditions while maintaining sufficient crop conveying force.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter of force generation from elastic deformation (spring) to hydraulic pressure. By controlling hydraulic pressure, the preload force can be dynamically adjusted within a wide range, transforming a fixed parameter system into a variable parameter system that adapts to different operational requirements.
2Ease of operation
If a single-acting hydraulic cylinder is used to lift the crop conveying device, then the device can be moved away from the base plate, but additional components are needed to provide preload
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic cylinder is designed as a double-acting cylinder that performs two functions: generating preload in one direction and lifting the crop conveying device in the opposite direction. This eliminates the need for separate spring elements and single-acting cylinders, reducing component count while maintaining both preload and lifting capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the preload generation function and the lifting function into a single double-acting hydraulic cylinder. The cylinder's piston rod connects to the crop conveying device, and by controlling hydraulic pressure in different chambers, it can either push the device against the base plate (preload) or pull it away (lifting), combining two previously separate functions.
3Force
If spring elements are used to provide preload, then the crop conveying device is pressed towards the base plate, but the installation space required increases to accommodate the spring elements
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic cylinder replaces the bulky spring element assembly with a compact hydraulic actuator. Hydraulic systems are space-efficient because the force generation is achieved through fluid pressure in a confined cylinder, rather than requiring large elastic deformation space. The hydraulic cylinder can generate high forces in a compact volume, reducing installation space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention substitutes a mechanical spring-based force generation system with a hydraulic force generation system. The spring element, which requires significant space to achieve the necessary preload force through elastic deformation, is replaced by a hydraulic cylinder that generates force through incompressible fluid pressure, occupying significantly less installation space.
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
This solution ensures optimal crop transport by allowing for a uniform and defined preload, minimizing installation space requirements and enabling adjustable preload based on harvesting conditions, thus enhancing the efficiency of crop handling.
Implementation Method 1
at least one hydraulic cylinder acts directly or indirectly on the main frame and on at least one support or on an auxiliary frame connected to the supports, wherein the at least one hydraulic cylinder is configured to, on the one hand, push or pull the crop conveying device towards the base plate by providing a defined preload
Implementation Method 2
the at least one hydraulic cylinder is configured to, on the other hand, to move the crop conveying device away from the base plate
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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), wherein the at least one hydraulic cylinder (18) is configured to push or pull the crop conveying device (12) towards the base plate (14) under a defined preload.