Harvester Header Wheel Locking Assembly Pin Latch Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing wheel adjustment systems in harvester headers often experience undesired movement due to vibrations, leading to inefficiencies and increased power consumption as the wheels shift out of their target positions, affecting the performance of the harvester.

Innovation Solution

A wheel locking assembly that includes a pin and a latch system, where the pin engages the latch to secure the wheel in its retracted position, preventing unwanted movement until sufficient force is applied by the hydraulic or other actuation systems to disengage it, thereby maintaining the wheel's position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the wheel is made adjustable to control vertical position, then the header can be positioned at desired height for harvesting, but the wheel may drop to undesired position due to vibrations during operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel position adjustmentVSAvoidwheel position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The latch is pre-positioned to engage with the pin at the desired wheel position before operation begins. This preliminary engagement prevents the wheel from moving to undesired positions during harvesting, resolving the contradiction between adjustability and stability by establishing the correct position in advance and maintaining it through the vibration-prone operating conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pin and latch assembly acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the wheel and the frame. This intermediary component transfers and secures the wheel at the desired position, providing a reliable connection that prevents vibration-induced movement while maintaining the adjustability of the wheel position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a locking mechanism is added to prevent wheel movement, then position stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel position stabilityVSAvoidwheel assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct, simple components: a pin attached to the wheel and a latch attached to the frame. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function with simple geometry, reducing overall complexity while achieving reliable position stability through the coordinated engagement of these separate elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a complex active locking system that requires actuation, the design inverts the approach by using a passive latch that naturally engages with the pin. The latch is positioned to automatically capture the pin at the desired wheel position, simplifying the mechanism by eliminating the need for complex actuation systems while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS12082529B2Wheel locking assembly for a harvester header

Publication Date: 2024.09.10 BLUE LEAF I P INC

AI summary

A wheel assembly of a harvester header includes a latch and a pin. The pin is configured to engage the latch while a wheel of the wheel assembly is at a first position and the pin is configured to disengage the latch while the wheel of the wheel assembly is at a second position. Engagement of the pin and the latch is configured to block movement of the wheel relative to a frame of the harvester header.