Harvester Header Support Pivot Mechanism Axle Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern agricultural harvesters often exceed maximum axle load limits when a header is attached, posing challenges during road transport due to increased weight distribution, which existing support systems fail to adequately address without complex control systems.
Innovation Solution
A harvester header support system featuring a pivotable coupling device with a support wheel that adjusts between forward and rearward travel positions, allowing the support wheel to follow steering movements without active turning, thereby reducing the space required and improving stability, and incorporating a locking mechanism to enhance friction and ease directional changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If support wheels are connected to the header or feeder during road transport, then the axle load is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to extensive control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device automatically switches between forward and rearward travel positions based on the direction of travel without requiring external control signals. The pivoting mechanism self-adjusts the support wheel position according to the header's orientation, eliminating the need for complex control systems while maintaining axle load reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device incorporates a pivoting mechanism that dynamically adjusts the support wheel position from forward to rearward travel position based on the header's orientation during direction changes. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain effectiveness without requiring active control systems
2Stability of the object's composition
If the support wheel is actively turned during steering, then the stability during turns is improved, but the space required and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support wheel passively follows the header's steering movements through the pivoting coupling device without requiring active turning mechanisms. The wheel self-adjusts its position according to the header's orientation, maintaining stability during turns while simplifying the overall steering system
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the active steering function from the support wheel system, allowing the wheel to simply follow the header's movements passively. This removes the complexity of active turning mechanisms while maintaining the essential stability function
3Ease of operation
If the coupling device allows free pivoting, then the ease of operation during direction changes is improved, but the stability and control are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device dynamically adapts its configuration based on the header's orientation during direction changes. The pivoting mechanism allows free movement when needed while maintaining controlled stability through the mechanical connection, optimizing both ease of operation and control
Data Source
AI summary
A harvester header support for supporting a header of an agricultural harvester, having a forward travel mode and a rearward travel mode. In the forward travel mode a first coupling element is in a forward travel position relative to a second coupling element, and in the rearward travel mode the first coupling element is in a rearward travel position relative to the second coupling element, wherein the first coupling element is moveable from the forward travel position to the rearward travel position and/or vice versa by pivoting the first coupling element relative to the second coupling element about the first pivot axis. An agricultural harvester having the harvester header support and a method for operating the agricultural harvester are disclosed as well.