Lateral Stem Displacement Device for Agricultural Winder

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for collecting and processing continuous tablecloths of vegetable stems, such as flax or hemp, often result in stem crushing, dust accumulation, and difficulty in maneuvering, especially in tight spaces or near obstacles.

Innovation Solution

A device attached to a motorized machine that laterally displaces the continuous tablecloth of vegetable stems before collection, positioning it between the wheels of the machine to prevent crushing and allow for standard roller use, while also facilitating maneuverability and dust reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a standard winder is used mounted in the axis of the motorized machine, then the device complexity is reduced, but the plant stems are crushed by the wheels of the motorized machine

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewinder positioningVSAvoidstem crushing
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary lateral displacement of the continuous sheet of plant stems before the motorized machine passes over it. By moving the sheet aside in advance and positioning it between the wheels, the invention prevents stem crushing while allowing the use of a standard axially-mounted winder, thus resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and prevention of harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If an offset winder is used to prevent stem crushing, then the stem crushing is avoided, but the device complexity and maneuvering difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestem crushingVSAvoidwinder positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a complex offset winder, the invention applies preliminary action by laterally displacing the plant stems before collection. This allows a simple standard winder to be used in the axial position while still preventing stem crushing, thereby avoiding the device complexity and maneuvering issues associated with offset winders.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If an offset winder is used to prevent stem crushing, then the stem crushing is avoided, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to maneuvering difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestem crushingVSAvoidmaneuvering
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lateral displacement device performs preliminary action by moving the plant stems aside before the motorized machine needs to pass. This eliminates the need for complex offset winder maneuvers, allowing the motorized machine to operate in its standard position while still preventing stem crushing, thus significantly improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Device complexity

If the lateral offset of offset winders is limited, then the device complexity is reduced, but the effectiveness in preventing wheel contact with the sheet decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral offsetVSAvoidprotection from wheel contact
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention achieves reliable protection from wheel contact by performing preliminary lateral displacement of the plant stems to a sufficient distance. This ensures that when the motorized machine passes over, its wheels do not contact the stems, while allowing the winder to remain in the simple axial position without requiring limited lateral offset.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

5Device complexity

If offset winders are used with single-sided lateral offset, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates at field edges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral offset configurationVSAvoidfield edge recovery
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lateral displacement device is designed to be dynamic and adaptable, capable of adjusting its lateral displacement direction and magnitude based on operating conditions. This allows the device to effectively handle field edge scenarios by displacing stems away from obstacles or hedges, improving ease of operation at field edges while maintaining a simple device configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4552469A1Device for moving a swather arranged on the ground
Publication Date: 2025.05.14 N V DEPOORTERE
  • EP4552469A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4552469A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4552469A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (4) for moving a continuous longitudinal sheet (14) of plant stems laid on the ground (12), the device (4) being configured to move said continuous sheet, at least partially and preferably primarily, along a horizontal direction (T) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) of said continuous sheet. The device (4) comprises attachment means (10) to a motorized vehicle (1), collection means (6) configured to pick up said continuous sheet from the ground, and a lateral movement means (8) for the collected continuous sheet, for example, extending at least in a longitudinal direction. The lateral movement means (8) extends, at least partially and preferably primarily, between the collection means (6) and the attachment means (10) to a motorized vehicle. The invention also relates to a motorized vehicle (1) comprising such a movement device (4).