Harvester Pickup Tine Support Shell Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing recording devices on harvesting machines, including both controlled and uncontrolled pick-up drums, fail to adequately support the critical transition area of double spring tines, leading to premature failure due to increased loads and vibrations from wider pick-up devices and uneven terrain, which results in reduced service life.

Innovation Solution

The double leg springs are supported by holders with a designed support shell that matches the outer radius of the drum, providing a vibration-damping surface to stabilize and extend the service life of the tines, using a pressure plate and fastening screw to secure the tines against rotation and distribute tension evenly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If wider pick-up devices are used to increase productivity, then harvesting performance is improved, but the pick-up tines are subjected to increased loads and vibrations causing premature failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveharvesting performanceVSAvoidservice life of pick-up tines
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support shell is designed beforehand to match the outer radius of the drum and provide a pre-positioned vibration-damping surface. This beforehand cushioning stabilizes the double spring tines before they are subjected to increased loads from wider pick-up devices, preventing premature failure while maintaining high harvesting performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Force

If double spring tines are used to handle increased loads, then pick-up capacity is improved, but the transition area becomes vulnerable to breakage due to lack of support

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepick-up capacityVSAvoidresistance to breakage in transition area
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The support shell provides localized support specifically at the critical transition area of the double spring tines where the outer spring coil meets the straight tine end. This local quality enhancement targets the vulnerable transition area with a vibration-damping surface that matches the outer radius of the drum, strengthening this specific region without compromising the overall pick-up capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If holders without adequate support surfaces are used, then device complexity is reduced, but the double spring tines vibrate excessively and fail early

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholder structureVSAvoidservice life of double spring tines
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support shell is designed with a curvature that matches the outer radius of the drum, creating a spheroidal support surface that conforms to the rotational motion. This curved geometry provides optimal contact with the double spring tines during rotation, damping vibrations effectively while maintaining a relatively simple holder structure that integrates seamlessly with the drum

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 significantly increases the service life of the pick-up tines by controlling and damping their resilient movements, reducing vibrations and material stress, thereby enhancing the durability and performance under increased loads and uneven conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The double spring tines are supported in such a way that their resilient movements are largely controlled and dampened

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2384616B1Pickup device on harvesting machines
Publication Date: 2014.03.26 B STRAUTMANN & SOHNE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2384616B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2384616B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2384616B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The lifting device (1) on harvesting wagons, whose lifting tines (13) are identical to double-legged springs, is subjected to increasing stress due to rising harvesting capacities, higher intake speeds, and, with increasing intake width, more difficult ground contour following. As a result, failures of the lifting tines due to overloading have increased noticeably. In order to largely eliminate the resulting costs for spare parts, repairs, and downtime, it is proposed to increase the service life of the lifting tines by means of an improved fastening arrangement to the attached brackets (5). In particular, by supporting the coils (15) of the double-legged springs (13), the oscillations and vibrations, which are the main cause of the malfunctions, are significantly reduced, and the service life is increased.