Header Securing Mechanism for Combine Harvester

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing combine harvesters require manual and time-consuming operations for securing the header to the feeder, which can be unsafe and involves high impact forces, especially with the increasing size of modern headers, posing risks to fragile components like electric and hydraulic multicouplers.

Innovation Solution

A mechanism using laterally moving securing pins driven by an actuator, with sloped surfaces and rollers/studs for gradual alignment and secure locking, reducing impact forces and ensuring strong connections between the header and feeder.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual securing operations are used, then operational flexibility is maintained, but time consumption increases and safety decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual operation flexibilityVSAvoidsecuring operation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The securing mechanism is designed to automatically secure the header to the feeder through hydraulic actuation of the securing pins, eliminating the need for manual intervention in the actual securing operation. The system performs the securing action itself through automated hydraulic control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical securing operation is replaced with a hydraulic actuation system. The hydraulic actuator automatically moves the securing pins laterally into the slots on the header, substituting manual mechanical manipulation with automated hydraulic control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of time

If automatic securing systems are used, then time consumption is reduced, but impact forces increase and damage fragile components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring operation timeVSAvoidimpact force damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier structure is lowered to the header before the securing pins are actuated. This preliminary positioning ensures that the header and feeder are properly aligned and in contact before the securing action begins, allowing the securing pins to engage gradually without generating high impact forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The securing pins are designed to move laterally in a controlled manner through hydraulic actuation, allowing dynamic adjustment of the securing process. The hydraulic system enables smooth, progressive engagement of the pins with the header slots, preventing sudden impact forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If stronger connection is achieved, then securing reliability improves, but impact forces during coupling increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheader-feeder connection strengthVSAvoidcoupling impact force

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The securing connection is achieved through multiple securing pins distributed across the carrier structure, rather than a single connection point. This segmentation of the securing function across multiple pins distributes the connection strength while reducing the impact force on any single component during coupling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Object-affected harmful factors

If gradual coupling is implemented, then fragile components are protected, but coupling speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact force reductionVSAvoidcoupling speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The securing mechanism uses hydraulic actuation to control the lateral movement of the securing pins. The hydraulic system provides controlled, progressive force application that enables gradual coupling while maintaining efficient operation through fluid power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Data Source

PatentUS12096719B2Header securing mechanism for a combine harvester

Publication Date: 2024.09.24 BLUE LEAF I P INC

AI summary

In a combine harvester, the header is lifted up by the feeder and secured thereto by a mechanism including a pair of securing pins on the feeder's carrier structure. The securing pins are provided with stops protruding towards the header and which include a sloped surface, configured to interact with positioning aids on the header. The lateral outward or inward movement of the securing pins is driven by a centrally placed actuator. As the actuator is extended, the positioning aids roll or glide down the sloped surfaces, enabling a gradual approach of the header towards the feeder, up to a point where the securing pins become aligned with slots on the header. Continued actuation of the pin motion then establishes the securing of the header to the feeder.