Harvester Loading Device Spiral Roller Forage Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing loading devices on harvesting machines experience uneven forage distribution, leading to high compression and mechanical wear, particularly in the middle of the forage swath, resulting in restless operation and increased power requirements.

Innovation Solution

The loading device features a conveyor roller with spirals that redistribute forage from high-flow zones to low-flow zones, combined with a fixed feed roller relative to the press roller, and a spiral arrangement of spring tines on the receiving drum to evenly distribute forage, reducing central accumulation and improving smoothness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If forage is loaded through the middle of the swath, then the loading capacity is maximized, but high compression occurs causing restless operation and increased power requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading capacityVSAvoidpower requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor roller is equipped with spirals that create different conveying characteristics at different radial positions. The inner spirals handle the high-flow central zone while outer spirals manage the lateral areas, allowing each region to be optimized for its specific load conditions and preventing excessive compression in the middle

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If forage is loaded through the middle of the swath, then the loading capacity is maximized, but mechanical wear increases due to high compression

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading capacityVSAvoidmechanical wear
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spiral arrangement on the conveyor roller creates localized conveying paths that distribute mechanical stress more evenly. The spirals guide forage from the high-flow central zone toward lateral areas, preventing concentrated compression that would otherwise cause excessive wear on the pressing device and conveyor roller

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If a conveyor roller is added to improve feed flow, then the transition to press roller is improved, but the construction becomes more complex and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeed flowVSAvoidconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor roller is integrated directly with the press roller assembly, sharing the same axis and structural support. The spirals are mounted on the conveyor roller that is already part of the press mechanism, combining the conveying function with the existing pressing structure rather than adding a completely separate system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If the receiving device oscillates during work, then the forage pickup is improved, but the transfer to press roller becomes unsteady

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforage pickupVSAvoidtransfer stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor roller with spirals acts as an intermediary between the oscillating receiving device and the press roller. The spirals on the conveyor roller stabilize the forage flow by creating a controlled conveying path, filtering out the oscillations from the receiving device before the forage reaches the press roller

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2070403B1Loading device for a harvesting machine
Publication Date: 2012.03.28 B STRAUTMANN & SOHNE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2070403B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2070403B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2070403B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The device picks up stems and flat matter lying on the ground with its pick-up device and supplies it to a following load chamber with a transport roller and press. The pick-up drum (3), which is arranged transversely with respect to the direction of travel, is pivotable about the transport roller (10) axis (14) and the roller adopts a fixed position relative to the press roller (20).