Harvesting Attachment Segmented Folding for Transport Width
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural harvesters face limitations in working width due to the permissible transport width on roads, restricting the effective use of harvesting attachments, and existing solutions either limit the working width or obstruct the driver's view during transport.
Innovation Solution
The harvesting attachment features an inner part with central and outer parts that pivot about angled axes, allowing the outer parts to fold upwards and inwards by 180° and the middle parts to pivot 90°, enabling a larger working width and improved driver visibility by aligning cutting and intake devices in a vertical plane during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the working width of the harvesting attachment is increased, then the productivity is improved, but the transport width exceeds the permissible road width
Solution Approach 1:
The harvesting attachment is divided into multiple independently pivotable sections (outer parts, middle parts, and inner part) that can be folded relative to each other. This segmentation allows the attachment to achieve a large working width during operation while being foldable to a compact configuration for transport, resolving the contradiction between productivity and transport width constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment employs dynamic folding mechanisms with pivot axes that allow the structure to change its configuration between operational and transport states. The outer and middle parts can be pivoted to different angles, enabling the system to adapt its width dynamically - wide during harvesting for high productivity, and narrow during transport to meet road width restrictions.
2Length of moving object
If the outer parts are folded inwards to reduce transport width, then the transport width is reduced, but the driver's view of the road is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot axes are oriented at angles that utilize three-dimensional space differently. When the outer parts are folded inwards, they are positioned in a configuration that raises them above the driver's line of sight rather than blocking it horizontally. This dimensional repositioning allows the transport width to be reduced while maintaining the driver's road visibility.
3Productivity
If the middle parts are made wider to increase working width, then the productivity is improved, but the overall structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment is segmented into modular sections (outer parts, middle parts, inner part) connected by pivot joints. This modular segmentation allows each section to be optimized independently for its function while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The middle parts can be made wider for increased productivity without requiring the entire structure to become more complex, as each module remains relatively simple and standardized.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The header (10) has outer parts (28), center parts (26) and an inner part (24) comprising frame portions (18, 20, 22) to which cutting and drawing devices (12) for separating- and conveying crop in a field are fastened. The inner part, the outer parts, the center parts extend coaxial to each other in an operational position in a horizontal plane. Axles (34) are bent in a forward direction (V), and the outer parts are pivoted with respect to the center parts at 180 degree in a transport position. The center parts are upwardly pivoted with respect to the inner part at other axles (32).