Header Torque Damper for Harvester Driveline Spike Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural harvester headers experience torque spikes during startup and harvesting operations, which can damage driveline components, limiting compatibility with various combines.

Innovation Solution

A drive system incorporating a gearbox and a torque damper connected between the drive shaft and gearbox to reduce torque spikes, protecting driveline components and enhancing compatibility with different combines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a header is equipped with chopping units driven by a separate chopper driveline, then the chopping units can process MOG effectively, but torque spikes during startup operation can damage the driveline components

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveMOG processing capabilityVSAvoiddriveline component durability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A torque damper is introduced as an intermediary component between the chopper driveline and the drive shaft. This damper absorbs and dissipates torque spikes during startup operation, preventing them from reaching and damaging the driveline components while allowing the chopping units to operate effectively

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The torque damper provides beforehand cushioning by being pre-installed in the driveline system to anticipate and absorb potential torque spikes during startup. This protective measure is in place before any damage can occur, cushioning the driveline components against harmful torque variations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the header is designed to be compatible with various combines, then versatility is improved, but torque spikes from different combine engines can cause damage to the header driveline

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheader-combine compatibilityVSAvoiddriveline protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The torque damper serves as a universal intermediary component that interfaces between the header driveline and various combine PTO systems. It mediates the torque transmission regardless of which combine model is used, protecting the header components from torque spikes generated by different engine characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The torque damper provides universal protection across multiple combine models and engine types. This single component delivers multi-functional benefits by protecting against torque spikes from any combine while maintaining header compatibility and driveline reliability across different harvesting configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The torque damper effectively diminishes torque spikes, preventing damage to driveline components and ensuring compatibility with various combines by reducing peak torque during startup and harvesting operations.

Implementation Method 1

a torque damper operably connects the gearbox to the drive shaft which transmits motive power from the combine to the header. The torque damper reduces a magnitude of a torque spike

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3850938B1Torque damper for agricultural harvester header
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 CNH IND BELGIUM NV
  • EP3850938B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3850938B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3850938B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A drive system (200, 400) of a header (120) for an agricultural vehicle (100). The header (120) includes a plurality of driven devices (202). The drive system (200, 400) includes a shaft (204, 404) configured for conveying motive power from the agricultural vehicle (100) to the header (120), a gearbox (206, 406) configured for being located on the header (120) and for transferring motive power to the plurality of driven devices (202), and a torque damper (208, 408. The torque damper (208, 408) is operably connected in between the shaft (204, 404) and the gearbox (206, 406). The torque damper (208, 408) is configured for reducing a magnitude of a torque spike.