Harvester Header Lifting Power Unit for Weight Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional designs for agricultural harvester headers face challenges in supporting the increasing weight of larger headers, making it difficult for the combine feeder to lift and support them effectively.
Innovation Solution
A lifting power unit with a sensor, hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, and controller is integrated into the header system to adjust the distance between the header and the ground, allowing for precise lifting and support of the header body using wheels, enabling manual or automatic operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the header size is increased to harvest more crops, then the harvesting capacity is improved, but the weight of the header increases making it harder for the combine feeder to lift and support
Solution Approach 1:
The header support system is divided into multiple independent wheels (first wheel, second wheel, third wheel, fourth wheel) positioned at different locations on the header. Each wheel is independently controllable through separate lifting power units, allowing selective support at different points along the header to manage its weight distribution and lifting requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The header support system transitions from a static support structure to a dynamic one where wheels can be independently raised and lowered. The lifting power units enable real-time adjustment of wheel positions and heights, allowing the system to adapt to different operating conditions and header weights dynamically.
2Device complexity
If conventional feeder lifting mechanisms are used, then the structure remains simple, but the ability to support larger headers is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting system is segmented into multiple independent lifting power units, each controlling a specific wheel. This segmentation allows the system to handle the increased weight of larger headers by distributing the lifting load across multiple independent actuators rather than relying on a single complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that detect the position of the header and wheels, providing feedback to the control system. This feedback enables automatic adjustment of the lifting mechanism to maintain proper header height and support capability, improving reliability without requiring overly complex manual control systems.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple wheels are used to support the header, then the weight distribution is improved, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into independent control units for each wheel, with each lifting power unit responding to local sensor feedback. This segmentation simplifies the overall control architecture by allowing independent adjustment of each wheel rather than requiring coordinated control of all wheels as a single complex system.
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 enhances the ability to support larger headers by allowing for adjustable height settings, improving the efficiency and ease of operation by distributing the weight more effectively, thus addressing the limitations of conventional designs.
Implementation Method 1
A lifting power unit includes: (a) a sensor for sensing, either directly or indirectly, the distance between the ground and the header body; (b) a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder for moving the wheel with respect to the header body
Data Source
AI summary
A header for an agricultural harvester includes a header body that is configured to be connected to the harvester. The header body is configured for cutting plants from the ground and distributing those plants to a feeder of the agricultural harvester. A wheel is attached to the header body for contacting the ground to support the header body above the ground. A lifting power unit moves the wheel with respect to the header body to adjust a distance between the header body and the ground.