Guiding Device Dynamics for Fodder Harvesting Plant Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural machines for fodder harvesting face issues with irregular plant collection and accumulation due to inadequate positioning of guiding devices, leading to inefficient processing and output.

Innovation Solution

The guiding device is configured with geometric and/or elastic connecting means to adjust its position, ensuring the lower front end is raised high in one position and lowered in another, allowing for optimal plant engagement and passage, reducing projections and accumulation, and enhancing the flow of plants to the processing device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the lower front end of the guiding device is raised greatly above the ground to allow passage of large-volume windrow, then the windrow can pass beneath the guiding device, but the intermediate part of the guiding device extends substantially horizontally at great distance from the teeth points, causing irregular plant carrying and harmful accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolume of windrowVSAvoidregularity of plant supply

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding device is made displaceable with respect to the pick-up device through a displacement device with connecting means, allowing it to pivot about instantaneous rotation centers. This dynamic positioning enables the guiding device to adapt its position based on operating conditions, resolving the contradiction between allowing large windrow passage and maintaining proper plant contact with teeth

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The position parameters of the guiding device (height of lower front end, distance of intermediate part from teeth points) are made variable through the displacement device. By changing these parameters between different positions, the system can handle both large-volume windrows and maintain proper plant engagement for regular supply

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the lower front end of the guiding device is brought closer to the ground to prevent plant projections, then plant projections are reduced, but the intermediate part and rear part are situated very close to the pick-up device, braking the flow of light plants and reducing output per hour

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutput per hourVSAvoidplant projections

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The displacement device enables the guiding device to dynamically adjust its position, allowing it to be close to the ground when needed to prevent projections, yet maintain sufficient distance through pivoting to avoid braking plant flow. The connecting means with rotation centers provide the mechanical capability for this dynamic adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The displacement device is configured to place the guiding device in optimal positions before the pick-up operation occurs. By pre-positioning the guiding device at appropriate distances from the pick-up device, the system prevents both plant projections and flow braking from occurring during operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the intermediate part of the guiding device is situated at great distance from the teeth points to allow windrow passage, then large windrow can pass, but the plants cannot be properly kept in contact with the teeth, causing irregular carrying

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle large windrowVSAvoidplant contact with teeth

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding device's displacement capability allows it to dynamically adjust its position relative to the pick-up device. The connecting means enabling pivoting about instantaneous rotation centers provide the mechanical freedom to achieve both close positioning for reliable plant contact and distant positioning for large windrow passage, depending on operating conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9192102B2Agricultural harvesting machine comprising an improved device for guiding plants

Publication Date: 2015.11.24 KUHN SA

AI summary

An agricultural machine includes a pick-up device with teeth and points, and a guiding device with a lower front end, a rear part and an intermediate part situated above the pick-up device and movable relative to the latter about a rotation center, via a displacement device movable in a first, respectively a second position and including first and second connecting devices which enable the guiding device to pivot about a first, respectively a second rotation center. The first and second connecting devices are geometrically and/or elastically configured so that in the first position, the lower front end is greatly raised above the ground and the intermediate part is brought close to the points, and that in the second position the lower front end is brought greatly close to the ground and the intermediate part and the rear part are distanced from the points.