Harvesting Device Pivotable Pickup and Conveyor for Uneven Ground

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing harvesting devices struggle to completely pick up crops on uneven surfaces and safely transport them, as they are not effectively adapted to compensate for ground unevenness, leading to suboptimal harvest quality.

Innovation Solution

The harvesting device features pivotable receiving members and transverse conveyor devices arranged on the support frame, with pivot axes extending in the longitudinal direction adjacent to the chassis, allowing for ground adaptation without height offsets in the transfer area, and includes limiting devices and a damper for optimal crop transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the pickup elements and cross-conveying devices are made rigid and fixed in position, then the structural stability is improved, but the ability to adapt to uneven ground is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to uneven ground
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adaptability by allowing the receiving members and cross-conveying devices to pivot about longitudinal axes. This enables the components to dynamically adjust their position relative to the ground surface while maintaining structural integrity through the pivot connection to the support frame.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the pivot axes are positioned far from the transfer area, then the ground adaptation capability is improved, but the crop flow continuity is worsened due to height offsets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveground adaptation capabilityVSAvoidcrop flow continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning the pivot axes specifically in the region of the chassis adjacent to the transfer area. This localized positioning ensures that the pivot point is close enough to maintain crop flow continuity while still allowing effective ground adaptation of the receiving and conveying members.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the pickup elements and cross-conveying devices are allowed to pivot freely, then the ground contouring ability is improved, but the crop transport stability is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveground contouring abilityVSAvoidcrop transport stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs limiting devices that constrain the pivoting movement parameters of the receiving members and cross-conveying devices. By controlling the range and extent of pivoting motion, the system achieves effective ground contouring while preventing excessive movement that would disrupt crop transport stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design enables the device to optimally pick up and convey crops even on uneven surfaces, ensuring uninterrupted crop flow and stable transport by minimizing height offsets and using a damper for ground adaptation, thus enhancing harvest quality.

Implementation Method 1

a damper (34) arranged between the chassis (16) and the support frame (11)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3763193B1Harvesting device
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 CLAAS SAULGAU GMBH
  • EP3763193B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3763193B1 patent drawingFigure 5
  • EP3763193B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Harvesting device, namely merger or pickup rake, with a support frame (11) having a longitudinal beam (12) and crossbeams (13, 14, 24, 25), with a chassis (16) having wheels (17), with pickup elements (18) designed as pickups for taking up crop material, wherein a pickup element (18) is mounted on a first side of the longitudinal beam (12) and a further pickup element (18) is mounted on a second side of the longitudinal beam (12), each on a crossbeam (13, 14), and with transverse conveying devices (19) designed as belt conveyors for conveying the picked-up crop material in a transverse conveying direction running transverse to a longitudinal direction, wherein a transverse conveying device (19) is mounted on the respective crossbeam (13, 14) on a first side of the longitudinal beam (12) and a further transverse conveying device (19) is mounted on the respective crossbeam (13, 14) on a second side of the longitudinal beam (12),and wherein a transfer area (22) for the harvested crop can be formed between the transverse conveying devices (19) arranged on opposite sides of the support frame (12). The receiving elements (18) and transverse conveying devices (19) arranged on opposite sides of the support frame (12) are pivotable in the working position about a pivot axis (28, 29) extending in the longitudinal direction, the respective pivot axis (28, 29) being arranged in the area of ​​the chassis (16) adjacent to the transfer area (22).