Harvester Header Gearbox for Independent Cutting and Conveying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing harvesting machines face inefficiencies in the operation of conveying and cutting tools, leading to increased torque and poor chopping quality when switching between operations, necessitating the header to run empty, which can result in temporary interruptions and reduced productivity.
Innovation Solution
An attachment device with a gearbox unit that allows independent control of cutting and conveying arrangements through dual drive inputs, enabling the secondary drive to adjust its output speed based on both primary and secondary input speeds, allowing for situation-adapted operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conveying tools and cutting tools are switched on and off together, then the drive system is simple to control, but torque increases when restarting cutting tools after conveying tools are stopped, causing overload and poor chopping quality
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system is segmented into two independent control channels: one for conveying tools and one for cutting tools. Each tool type can be controlled independently through separate switches, allowing the cutting tools to continue operating even when conveying tools are stopped, thereby preventing torque overload and maintaining chopping quality during operations like trailer changes.
2Productivity
If conveying tools are stopped during trailer changes, then crop transfer can be paused, but cutting tools must also stop and experience braking torque from previously picked-up crop, requiring empty running to avoid overload
Solution Approach 1:
The independent control switches allow segmentation of operational control between conveying and cutting functions. During trailer changes, the conveying tools can be stopped while cutting tools continue to operate, eliminating the need for empty running and maintaining continuous productive operation without torque overload issues.
3Reliability
If cutting tools run empty before changing trailers, then overload is avoided, but chopping quality deteriorates temporarily
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the control of conveying and cutting tools into independent systems with separate switches, the cutting tools can maintain continuous operation at optimal speed regardless of conveying tool status. This eliminates the need for empty running, thereby maintaining consistent chopping quality while still preventing overload through independent conveying tool control.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an attachment (1) for an agricultural machine (70), comprising a frame (2) and a cutting arrangement (10) for cutting crops (81) and a conveying arrangement (20) for conveying crops (81), which are driveable relative to the frame (2), and further a transmission unit (30) with a primary input part (31) for drive-transmitting coupling to a motor primary drive (71), a secondary input part (51) for drive-transmitting coupling to a motor secondary drive (27), a cutting output part (56) for drive-transmitting coupling to the cutting arrangement (10), and a conveying output part (54) for drive-transmitting coupling to the conveying arrangement (20).To enable efficient and situation-adapted operation of conveying tools and cutting tools of an attachment device, the invention provides that one of the output parts (54, 56) forms a primary output part (55) and the other forms a secondary output part (53), and the gear unit (30) is designed to couple the primary output part (55) exclusively to the primary input part (31) via drive transmission and to couple the secondary output part (53) simultaneously to both input parts (31, 51) via drive transmission, so that an output speed (n4) of the secondary output part (53) depends on input speeds (n1, n2) of both input parts (31, 51).