Independently Driven Conveying Sections for Crop Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural harvesting machines face challenges in achieving uniform distribution of crops before they are fed into the conveyor rotor or crop channel, particularly due to limited adaptability to different crops and harvesting conditions.

Innovation Solution

The harvesting machine incorporates a pick-up device with at least two independently rotatable and drivable conveying sections, allowing for separate control of crop conveyance in the longitudinal and transverse directions, enabling improved distribution and adaptability to varying conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If rotatable screw conveyors are provided on the pick-up device to bring together the picked-up crop, then the distribution of crop can be improved, but the adaptability to different crops and harvesting conditions is limited and adjustment is complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistribution uniformityVSAvoidadaptability to different crops
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The conveying element is divided into multiple independently controllable conveying sections (at least two), each capable of being driven separately. This segmentation allows different sections to handle different crop types and conditions independently, improving adaptability while maintaining distribution uniformity through coordinated operation of the sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The conveying sections are designed to be rotatable and drivable independently of one another, creating a dynamic system that can adapt its conveying pattern to different crops and harvesting conditions. This dynamic capability allows the system to optimize performance for various crop types without complex manual reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If manually attaching extension plates to the conveyor slats is done for adaptation to different crops, then adaptability can be achieved, but the adjustment process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different cropsVSAvoidadjustment effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of static extension plates requiring manual attachment, the system uses dynamically controllable conveying sections that can be independently driven and rotated. This eliminates the need for manual assembly of extension plates while maintaining adaptability to different crops through operational control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The independently drivable conveying sections can be controlled to automatically adapt to different crop conditions without requiring manual intervention for assembly or reconfiguration. The system serves itself by adjusting its conveying pattern through independent section control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If a single conveying element is used, then the device structure is simple, but the ability to influence crop conveyance in different directions is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveying element structureVSAvoidconveyance control capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The single conveying element is segmented into multiple independently controllable conveying sections, allowing different sections to convey crop in different directions (transversely and longitudinally) while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multiple conveying sections work together to provide multi-directional crop conveyance capability (both transverse and longitudinal directions) within a unified conveying element structure, achieving versatility without requiring multiple separate components.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3238526B1Harvesting machine with a pick-up device
Publication Date: 2018.11.28 USINES CLAAS FRANCE SAS
  • EP3238526B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3238526B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An agricultural harvesting machine (10) comprises a receiving device (16) for agricultural crops, wherein the receiving device (16) has at least one driven collecting drum (18) for receiving crops and at least one driven conveying element (22), wherein the conveying element (22) has conveying elements (48, 50, 52) radially on its outer side to convey the crops to a conveying rotor (28) and/or a crop channel (26). According to the invention, the conveying element (22) has at least two conveying sections (42, 44, 46) which are rotatable and driveable independently of one another.