Harvester Header Support Pivotable Coupling Axle Load
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Modern agricultural harvesters often exceed maximum axle load limits when transporting a header, posing regulatory challenges and stability issues on public roads due to increased weight distribution.
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 wheel to follow steering movements without active turning and reducing the space required under the harvester, thereby distributing weight more efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If support wheels are connected to the header or feeder, 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 support wheel shaft and coupling elements self-adjust their positions through the pivoting mechanism, eliminating the need for complex control systems while maintaining axle load reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device is designed with movable coupling elements that can pivot between forward and rearward positions. This dynamic configuration allows the support wheel to be positioned optimally for the current direction of travel, automatically adapting to changing operational conditions without complex control
2Stability of the object's composition
If the support wheel is actively turned to follow steering movements, then the stability is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support wheel is freely rotatable about its support wheel axis and automatically follows the steering movements of the harvester through self-alignment. The wheel passive adapts to directional changes without requiring active turning mechanisms, reducing complexity while maintaining stability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of actively controlling the support wheel to follow steering movements, the invention allows the wheel to freely rotate and passively adapt to directional changes. This inverted approach simplifies the mechanism while achieving the same stability effect
3Adaptability or versatility
If the coupling device allows pivoting between forward and rearward positions, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device employs a pivoting mechanism that allows the first coupling element to move between forward and rearward travel positions. This dynamic configuration provides adaptability for different travel directions while using robust mechanical connections that tolerate normal manufacturing variations
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device is divided into separate coupling elements (first and second coupling elements) that can pivot independently. This segmentation allows each element to be manufactured and assembled separately, making the system more tolerant of manufacturing precision variations while maintaining functional adaptability
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
Disclosed is a harvester header support (1) for supporting a header of an agricultural harvester (3), having a forward travel mode and a rearward travel mode, in which forward travel mode a first coupling element (10) is in a forward travel position relative to a second coupling element (11), and in which rearward travel mode the first coupling element (10) is in a rearward travel position relative to the second coupling element (11), wherein the first coupling element (10) is moveable from the forward travel position to the rearward travel position and/or vice versa by pivoting the first coupling element (10) relative to the second coupling element (11) about the first pivot axis (13). An agricultural harvester (3) having said harvester header support (1) and a method for operating said agricultural harvester (3) are disclosed as well.