Modular Sugarcane Harvester Chassis for Multi-Configuration Harvesting

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sugarcane harvesters require separate frame configurations for single row, multi-row, and header-based harvesting operations, necessitating substantial time and capital investment in machine variations.

Innovation Solution

A modular frame assembly for sugarcane harvesters, comprising a base frame section and interchangeable front and rear frame sections, allowing for various harvesting configurations using shared components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate frame configurations are designed for single row, multi-row, and header-based harvesting, then each harvesting operation can be optimized for its specific requirements, but the development time and capital investment required increase substantially

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different harvesting configurationsVSAvoiddevelopment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The frame assembly is divided into modular sections including a base frame section and interchangeable front frame sections, each designed with standardized interfaces. This segmentation allows different harvesting configurations to be achieved by combining the same base frame with different front sections, reducing development time while maintaining optimization for specific harvesting operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base frame section is designed with universal interface portions that can accommodate multiple types of front frame sections. This universality enables a single base frame design to support various harvesting configurations (single row, multi-row, header-based) by simply changing the front frame section, thereby reducing development time and capital investment while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate frame configurations are designed for single row, multi-row, and header-based harvesting, then each harvesting operation can be optimized for its specific requirements, but the capital investment in machine variations increases substantially

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different harvesting configurationsVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The frame assembly is divided into modular sections including a base frame section and interchangeable front frame sections, each designed with standardized interfaces. This segmentation allows different harvesting configurations to be achieved by combining the same base frame with different front sections, reducing development time while maintaining optimization for specific harvesting operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base frame section is designed with universal interface portions that can accommodate multiple types of front frame sections. This universality enables a single base frame design to support various harvesting configurations (single row, multi-row, header-based) by simply changing the front frame section, thereby reducing development time and capital investment while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional harvesters are specifically adapted for specific harvesting operations with different frame configurations, then each operation can be optimized, but the complexity of the machine variations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecific adaptation for harvesting operationsVSAvoidframe configuration variations

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame assembly is divided into modular sections including a base frame section and interchangeable front frame sections, each designed with standardized interfaces. This segmentation allows different harvesting configurations to be achieved by combining the same base frame with different front sections, reducing development time while maintaining optimization for specific harvesting operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The frame system is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable through the interchangeability of front frame sections. The standardized interfaces enable quick changes between different configurations without requiring complex manufacturing processes or specialized assembly procedures, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining operational specificity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20260041039A1Modular Chassis Assembly and System for a Sugar Cane Harvester

Publication Date: 2026.02.12 CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC

AI summary

A modular frame system for a sugarcane harvester includes a base frame section having a forward end and an aft end, with the base frame section defining a forward interface portion at the forward end. The system also includes a plurality of interchangeable front frame sections configured to be removably coupled to the base frame section, with each front frame section having a unique frame arrangement as compared to the remainder of the interchangeable front frame sections such that each front frame section is adapted to provide a differing harvesting configuration for the sugarcane harvester when selected for installation on the base frame section. Moreover, each front frame section includes a front end and a rear interface end, with the rear interface ends of the interchangeable front frame sections defining a common interface portion configured to be coupled to the forward interface portion of the base frame section.