Harvesting Header Divider Cutting Tool With Anti-Wobble Mounting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing harvesting headers face challenges in securely attaching and efficiently changing cutting tools, particularly knives or sickles, due to the weight and complexity of these tools, which can lead to instability and require multiple steps for installation and removal.

Innovation Solution

A cutting tool design featuring a longitudinal member with a non-round cross-section, a hook for secure attachment to a divider tube, and a cutting blade, allowing for easy installation and removal by a single person, even when heavier tools are used, using a hook and nut mechanism to prevent wobbling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a heavy cutting tool is used, then the cutting capability is improved, but the attachment stability deteriorates and requires multiple installation steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting capabilityVSAvoidattachment stability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The longitudinal member features a non-round cross-section that engages with a corresponding asymmetric tube in the divider. This asymmetric geometry prevents rotational movement and ensures stable positioning of the heavy cutting tool, eliminating wobbling while maintaining attachment firmness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a hook element for securing the longitudinal member to the divider, and a non-round cross-section for preventing rotation. This segmentation allows each element to address specific stability requirements independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If a heavy cutting tool is used, then the cutting capability is improved, but the installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting capabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism separates the securing function (hook) from the positioning function (non-round cross-section), allowing for simplified installation. The hook can be engaged independently to secure the tool, while the non-round cross-section automatically prevents rotation, reducing the number of installation steps required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The non-round cross-section automatically prevents rotational movement of the longitudinal member once inserted into the tube, without requiring additional locking mechanisms or adjustment steps. The geometry itself provides the stabilizing function, making the installation process simpler.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If a traditional round cross-section is used, then the manufacturing is easier, but the attachment stability deteriorates due to wobbling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing easeVSAvoidattachment stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The longitudinal member employs a non-round cross-section that creates an asymmetric fit within the tube. This asymmetric geometry eliminates wobble and ensures stable attachment, while the design maintains manufacturability through standard forming processes for non-circular sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

4Stability of the object's composition

If a complex attachment mechanism is used, then the attachment stability is improved, but the tool exchange time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidtool exchange time

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism is segmented into a hook for securing and a non-round cross-section for positioning. This segmentation allows for quick engagement and disengagement of the hook while the non-round cross-section maintains stability throughout, enabling fast tool changes without compromising attachment firmness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The non-round cross-section is pre-formed on the longitudinal member during manufacturing, so that when the tool is installed, the stable geometric fit is immediately achieved without requiring additional adjustment or locking actions during the tool exchange process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12520748B2Cutting tool mounted on divider of a harvesting header

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 AGCO CORP

AI summary

A cutting tool for a harvesting header includes a longitudinal member having a straight portion with a non-round cross-section, a hook coupled to the longitudinal member and configured to secure the longitudinal member to a divider of a harvesting header, and a cutting blade extending from the longitudinal member. A harvesting header for use with a crop-harvesting machine includes a header frame structured to be coupled to the crop-harvesting machine, a divider at an end of the header frame, and a cutting tool carried by the divider. The divider defines a tube therein, and the longitudinal member of the cutting tool is disposed at least partially within the tube. A method of preparing a harvesting header includes sliding a longitudinal member of a cutting tool into a tube within a divider, and engaging a hook to secure the longitudinal member to the tube.