Header Support Wheel Assembly for Lower Transport Axle Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support wheel systems for harvesting headers face issues such as increased axle load violations during transport due to improper positioning, mechanical complexity, and inefficient load distribution, particularly when the wheel is located far from the header's center of gravity or requires cumbersome relocation.
Innovation Solution
A support wheel assembly with a movable wheel that transitions between a harvesting and road travel position, utilizing a pivoting strut system and hydraulic actuation to maintain the wheel above the crop flow and distribute load effectively, incorporating a flexible parallelogram structure to absorb ground unevenness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the support wheel is mounted on the rear of the harvesting header, then the header remains attached to the harvester during transport, but the support wheel is located far behind the header's center of gravity and must bear high support loads
Solution Approach 1:
The support wheel assembly is positioned above the harvesting header rather than at the rear, changing the spatial dimension from horizontal (rear) to vertical (above). This dimensional change allows the wheel to provide support while being closer to the header's center of gravity, reducing the support load while maintaining transport stability.
2Productivity
If the support wheel is removed during harvesting, then the header can be used for harvesting operations, but the support wheel or chassis must first be placed in a suitable location and later retrieved, resulting in longer empty runs
Solution Approach 1:
The support wheel assembly is designed to be automatically positioned into the harvesting position (above the header) when not in use, eliminating the need for manual relocation. The assembly serves itself by maintaining its own optimal position through its mechanical design, allowing immediate readiness for harvesting operations without time-consuming relocation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the support wheel is mounted detachably to the header, then the wheel can be removed for harvesting operations, but the wheel or chassis must be placed in a suitable location and later retrieved
Solution Approach 1:
The support wheel assembly is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to move between a stored position above the header during harvesting and a ground-contact position during transport. This dynamic design eliminates the need for detachable mounting while maintaining adaptability, as the assembly automatically transitions between positions based on operational mode.
4Length of moving object
If the wheel is located above the harvesting header in the harvesting position, then the length of the wheel support is shortened, but the wheel must be moved between harvesting and road travel positions
Solution Approach 1:
The support wheel assembly is segmented into movable components that can independently position the wheel between harvesting and transport configurations. This segmentation allows the wheel to be relocated without requiring complex overall restructuring of the entire support system, as individual segments handle specific positioning functions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A support wheel assembly (28) for a harvesting header (10) is described, wherein: the harvesting header (10) comprises a supporting frame, can be attached to a self-propelled harvesting machine and is movable in a forward direction (V) across a field, the support wheel assembly (28) comprises at least one wheel (36, 38) which is attached to the supporting frame of the harvesting header (10) in such a way that the wheel (36, 38) is movable between a harvesting position in which the wheel (36, 38) is not in contact with the ground and a road driving position in which the wheel (36, 38) is in contact with the ground and supports the harvesting header (10) which remains attached to the harvesting machine during road driving, and the wheel (36, 38) is located above the harvesting header (10) in the harvesting position.