Header-Mounted Transporter for Harvester Unloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing width of agricultural harvester headers makes conventional discharge tube unloading difficult due to weight and structural integrity issues, leading to side tilting and increased soil pressure, as well as higher power demands and crop damage.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural harvester with a transporter/discharger combination that uses existing feeder and header structures to transport harvested crop to a distal end for discharge, reducing the need for a long, heavy discharge tube, employing devices like augers, conveyer belts, or elevators for gentle and efficient unloading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a long discharge tube is used to unload crop from the on-board tank, then the unloading function is achieved, but the weight of the discharge system increases and structural integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge system is segmented into multiple components: a transporter mounted to the header for moving crop laterally, and a discharger positioned at the distal end for actual discharge. This replaces the single long discharge tube with distributed, lighter components that perform the same function without the weight penalty.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a long discharge tube extending in one dimension from the tank, the invention uses the lateral dimension by mounting the transporter to the header and utilizing the header's width to move crop to the distal end. This dimensional shift eliminates the need for a long longitudinal discharge tube.
2Strength
If a long discharge tube is used to maintain structural integrity, then the tube can support crop weight, but the load on one side of the harvester increases causing side tilt
Solution Approach 1:
The load is segmented and distributed: the transporter is mounted to the header (which is already supported at both ends), and the discharger is positioned at the distal end. This distributes the crop weight along the header structure rather than concentrating it on one side, maintaining harvester stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention copies the header's lateral support structure to support the discharge system. By mounting the transporter to the header, the system utilizes the header's inherent strength and support structure, avoiding the need for a separate heavy support structure that would cause side tilt.
3Reliability
If a heavy discharge tube is used, then the system can handle the crop load, but the overall harvester weight increases affecting soil pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The crop handling function is segmented between the transporter (mounted to the header) and the discharger (at the distal end). This allows the system to handle crop loads using lighter, distributed components rather than a single heavy discharge tube, reducing overall harvester weight while maintaining reliability.
4Ease of operation
If a conventional discharge tube is used, then unloading can be performed, but the discharge tube takes up space and rendering transport difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge function is moved from a longitudinal extension (discharge tube) to a lateral extension using the header's width. The transporter moves crop laterally along the header to the distal end, eliminating the need for a long discharge tube that would stick out and occupy road space during transport.
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 approach reduces the weight and cost of the discharge system, minimizes crop damage, lowers power consumption, and allows for easier observation and execution of unloading, while maintaining structural integrity and reducing soil pressure.
Implementation Method 1
a screw conveyer, also referred to as a cross auger, for conveying the cut crop towards the feeding structure
Implementation Method 2
a second conveyer belt for receiving the harvested crop from the first conveyer belt and transporting the harvested crop, in a substantially transversal direction towards the discharger
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural harvester has a header for harvesting a crop, an on-board container for storing the harvested crop, and a feeder adapted to receive the harvested crop from the header and provide the harvested crop to the on-board container. The agricultural harvester further has a transporter adapted to transport the harvested crop from the on-board container towards a distal end of the header; at least part of the transporter being mounted to the header or the feeder and a discharger in communication with the transporter and adapted to receive the harvester crop as transported by the transporter, at or near the distal end of the header, the discharger having a discharge outlet for discharging the harvested crop.