Haymaking Machine Splash Guard for Plant Projection Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural haymaking machines, such as tedders and windrowers, face issues with unwanted vertical projections of mowed plants during operation, leading to accumulation on the machine, potential malfunctions, and repetitive cleaning needs, which complicates operations and reduces drying efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a surface-type protection means extending mainly in a plane perpendicular to the rotors' axes of rotation, covering the front of the rotors and operational areas, to limit plant projections and accumulation, while allowing for better aeration and uniform drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the rotational speed of the tines is increased to improve soil aeration and drying efficiency, then the drying objective is better achieved, but unwanted vertical projection of plant material increases
Solution Approach 1:
A protective cover is introduced as an intermediary element between the rotating tines and the environment. This cover intercepts vertically projected plant material before it can accumulate on the machine, allowing high rotational speeds to be maintained for efficient drying without the harmful accumulation effect
2Reliability
If local protection devices (deflectors) are attached to rotor arms to prevent plant material accumulation, then sticking is prevented, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of attaching multiple separate deflector devices to each rotor arm, the invention merges all protection functions into a single unified protective cover that envelops the entire rotor assembly. This simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining reliable protection against plant material accumulation
3Reliability
If local protection devices are attached to rotors to prevent vegetation accumulation, then sticking is prevented, but these devices rotate with the rotors and exacerbate vegetation projection
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of attaching protection devices that rotate with the tines (which worsen projection), the invention inverts the approach by using a stationary protective cover that remains fixed while the rotors spin inside it. This stationary barrier effectively captures projected material without adding to the rotational projection problem
4Object-generated harmful factors
If protective covers are used to limit plant projections, then accumulation on the machine is reduced, but the flow of plant material may be restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is designed as a flexible or semi-flexible structure that can adapt to the flow of plant material. This flexibility allows the cover to limit accumulation while still permitting adequate airflow and plant material passage, maintaining drying efficiency without excessive restriction
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 solution effectively reduces plant projections and accumulation, preventing machine malfunctions, simplifies maintenance, and enhances drying efficiency by creating a barrier for plant flow and turbulence, resulting in more regular deposition and improved aeration.
Implementation Method 1
The protective cover creates a barrier, at least partial, to the airflow and/or turbulence generated by the machine's operation
Implementation Method 2
The protective cover creates a barrier, at least partial, to the airflow and/or turbulence generated by the machine's operation
Implementation Method 3
Including such a cover on this type of machine allows for better channeling of the projected plant material and a more even distribution, resulting in improved aeration and more uniform drying
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
The present invention relates to a haymaking machine with a means of protection against projectiles. The haymaking machine essentially consists of a frame intended to be connected to a tractor by a hitch device comprising at least one support beam and carrying forked rotors equipped with at least one wheel and driven, during operation, by circular movements around their respective substantially vertical axes of rotation, said beam being either a single piece or having a segmented construction. The machine (1) is characterized in that it comprises at least one protective means (7) which extends primarily in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axes of rotation (X) of the rotors (3) in the working position of the machine (1), which is fixed relative to the frame (2) during the working phase of the machine (1), and which covers at least partially the front of at least one rotor (3), preferably all of the rotors (3).