Haymaking Machine Crop Transfer Support Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural haymaking machines with dynamic crop transfer elements between conveyors suffer from crop losses, irregular drying, and reduced forage quality due to spacing distance and differences in rotation speeds, leading to turbulence and increased maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a static support element with a deposition surface of a width less than the spacing distance between the internal lateral ends of the conveyors, which is fixed relative to the chassis or one of the conveyors, to minimize crop loss and maintain even windrow formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gap distance is left between the two conveyors to prevent collision, then the conveyors can move independently to adapt to uneven ground, but crop losses occur between the two conveyors
Solution Approach 1:
A support element is introduced as an intermediary component between the two conveyors. This support element provides a deposition surface that receives crop from the upstream conveyor and transfers it to the downstream conveyor, eliminating the need for a large gap between conveyors while preventing crop loss.
2Ease of operation
If a dynamic element is used to transfer crop between conveyors, then crop transfer is enabled, but the construction becomes complex, heavy, and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a dynamic moving element to actively transfer crop, the invention uses a static support element that passively receives and supports crop. The crop is deposited on the support element and then transferred to the downstream conveyor by gravity and conveyor motion, inverting the traditional active transfer approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element is a simple, lightweight, and inexpensive static structure compared to dynamic transfer mechanisms. It can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed, providing a cost-effective solution for crop transfer.
3Ease of operation
If a dynamic crop transfer element is used, then crop transfer between conveyors is achieved, but turbulence is promoted leading to fodder loss towards the rear
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces active dynamic transfer with passive static support. Crop is gently deposited on the stationary support element and then smoothly transferred to the downstream conveyor, eliminating the turbulence and rearward fodder loss associated with dynamic transfer elements.
4Device complexity
If the conveyors are moved further apart to accommodate a dynamic transfer element, then the transfer element can be installed, but the resulting swath becomes smaller or narrower
Solution Approach 1:
The support element acts as a compact intermediary that fits in the minimal space between conveyors. It provides sufficient deposition surface area without requiring the conveyors to be spaced far apart, thereby maintaining the desired swath width while enabling crop transfer.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to an agricultural haymaking machine (1) comprising a frame (2) carrying at least one device (3) for the transverse movement of a crop, each device (3) having two endless belt conveyors (4, 4') running on two rollers mounted in a frame, these conveyors being able to occupy an adjacent position, in which an upstream conveyor (4) can transmit the crop to the downstream conveyor (4'), the inner rollers then being separated by a spacing distance (e). The machine (1) is characterized in that it further comprises at least one support element (7) providing a deposition surface (7'), and in that this deposition surface (7') has a width less than the spacing distance (e), and is located between the inner lateral ends (4") of the upstream (4) and downstream (4') conveyors considered, at least when the latter are in an adjacent position.