Agricultural Header Wing Section Pivoting Linkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural headers with wider widths face challenges in following the ground due to increased ground irregularity, as existing flexible cutter bars can only compensate for up to 6 inches of deviation across a 45-foot width, which is insufficient for many fields with greater deviations.
Innovation Solution
The header incorporates pivotably coupled wing or segment sections with a linkage system featuring upper and lower bars, allowing for adjustable pivoting behavior and ground following, with the option of actuator control to enhance ground tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the header width is increased to harvest more crop material per pass, then productivity is improved, but the ability to follow ground irregularities deteriorates because existing flexible cutter bars can only compensate for up to 6 inches of deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The header is divided into multiple independent sections (main section and wing sections) that can pivot relative to each other. Each section has its own cutting elements that can independently follow ground contours, allowing the entire wide header to adapt to terrain variations while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The header transitions from a rigid structure to a dynamic, articulated structure where wing sections can pivot and adjust their position relative to the main section. This dynamic capability allows the header to continuously adapt to changing ground conditions across its width.
2Reliability
If flexible cutter bars are used to compensate for ground irregularity, then ground following is improved, but the effective compensation is limited to 6 inches of deviation even with increased header width
Solution Approach 1:
The solution moves from one-dimensional flexibility (cutter bar flexure) to two-dimensional articulation (wing section pivoting). By adding the pivot dimension between main and wing sections, the header gains the ability to compensate for much larger ground deviations while maintaining cutting effectiveness across the entire width.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural header includes a main section and at least one wing section, which is pivotably coupled to the main section. The main section includes a main frame. The at least one wing section includes a wing frame. The header further includes a cutting element, a linkage, and an actuator. The cutting element is supported by the main frame and the wing section. The linkage pivotably couples the at least one wing section to the main section. The linkage includes an upper bar and a lower bar which are both coupled to the main frame and to the wing frame. The actuator is coupled to at least one of the upper bar, the lower bar, and the at least one wing section.