Header Transport Assembly Center of Gravity Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional header transport kits are ineffective in balancing advanced flexible headers during transport, as the rigid framework structure often fails to align vertically with the header's center of gravity, especially when the header lacks a lower margin rigid structure.
Innovation Solution
A header transport assembly with a pair of spaced apart wheels connected to a laterally extending rigid beam, allowing movement between transport and field positions to align midpoints with the header's center of gravity, ensuring balance and support even when the rigid beam is out of vertical alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional header transport kit is used with a flexible header, then the header can be transported, but the rigid framework structure cannot align vertically with the header's center of gravity, causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The transport kit uses a laterally extending rigid beam that can be positioned at different locations along the header frame, allowing the system to adapt its configuration to match the center of gravity of different flexible header designs. This dynamic repositioning capability enables vertical alignment with the center of gravity regardless of the specific flexible header type.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport kit is designed as a separate, modular assembly that can be independently configured and attached to the header frame. The rigid beam is a distinct component that can be laterally extended to different positions, allowing segmentation of the balancing function from the header itself and enabling adaptation to various flexible header configurations.
2Reliability
If the rigid beam is positioned to align with the center of gravity, then balance is achieved, but the beam may interfere with crop-cutting or crop-conveying assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid beam extends laterally (width-wise) rather than longitudinally (front-to-back), utilizing the lateral dimension to achieve center of gravity alignment without interfering with the fore-and-aft arrangement of crop-cutting and crop-conveying assemblies. This dimensional change allows the beam to pass underneath these assemblies clear of interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid beam is positioned specifically in the lateral dimension at a location that provides vertical alignment with the center of gravity, while its longitudinal position is optimized to clear other assemblies. This localized positioning in the lateral direction achieves balance without creating conflicts in the fore-and-aft dimension.
3Ease of manufacture
If the transport kit is designed for headers with lower margin rigid structure, then alignment is easier, but it cannot support advanced flexible headers lacking such structure
Solution Approach 1:
The transport kit is designed with a universal rigid beam that can be laterally extended to align with the center of gravity of any flexible header configuration, regardless of whether the header has traditional lower margin rigid structure. This universal design allows the same transport kit to work with diverse flexible header types without requiring header-specific modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The laterally extending rigid beam acts as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between the header frame and the center of gravity location. Instead of relying on pre-existing rigid structure on the header, the beam creates its own alignment reference point that can be positioned to match any flexible header's center of gravity.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural header assembly broadly includes a header and a header transport assembly. The header is disposed in a transport orientation when a rigid beam thereof is out of vertical alignment with the header center of gravity. The transport assembly includes first and second pairs of spaced apart wheels shiftably connected to the rigid beam for movement between a transport position and a field position. The first and second pairs of wheels define respective first and second midpoints therebetween when in the transport position. The first and second midpoints are each disposed in general vertical alignment with the header center of gravity when the header is in the transport orientation to substantially balance the header on the transport assembly.