Rotary Mower Crop Convergence Impeller System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Crop harvesting headers with rotary cutters face challenges in efficiently converging cut crop material from outer disks to a discharge opening, particularly in maintaining effective crop transfer and conditioning across a wide cutting width.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a crop harvesting header with ten transversely spaced rotary disks and a conditioning system featuring two parallel conditioner rolls and a transfer impeller arrangement, where the first impeller is mounted on the disk and the second impeller is overhead, directly transferring cut crop material inwardly to the discharge opening without intermediate elements, ensuring efficient crop convergence and conditioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a wide cutting width is used with multiple transverse disks, then harvesting productivity increases, but crop transfer efficiency deteriorates due to difficulty in converging cut material from outer disks to discharge opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to crop transfer by mounting the second impeller overhead, allowing crop to be conveyed upward and then inward toward the discharge opening. This three-dimensional transfer path solves the problem of converging crop from wide-spaced outer disks by utilizing vertical space rather than only horizontal convergence, thereby maintaining transfer efficiency despite increased cutting width.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate crop conveyance system consisting of the second overhead impeller that acts as a mediator between the first impeller and the discharge opening. This intermediate element receives crop from the first impeller and actively conveys it inward to the discharge opening, solving the transfer efficiency problem in wide-cutting configurations where direct convergence is difficult.
2Reliability
If intermediate transport elements are used between impellers, then crop transfer reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple impellers and transport elements into a single integrated overhead impeller system. The second impeller performs both the function of receiving crop from the first impeller and actively conveying it inward to the discharge opening, eliminating the need for separate intermediate transport elements while maintaining transfer reliability and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the crop conveyance function from a separate intermediate transport element and integrates it into the second overhead impeller. By taking out the conveyance function and combining it with the existing impeller structure, the system achieves reliable crop transfer without adding the complexity of separate intermediate transport mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the discharge opening width is increased, then harvesting flexibility improves, but crop convergence difficulty increases leading to blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic active conveyance using the second overhead impeller that rotates to actively push crop inward toward the discharge opening. This dynamic mechanism compensates for the increased convergence distance created by wider discharge openings, maintaining reliable crop transfer and preventing blockages while preserving harvesting flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The second overhead impeller serves as an intermediary active conveyance mechanism that bridges the gap between the cutting disks and the widened discharge opening. It receives crop from the first impeller and actively transports it inward, solving the convergence reliability problem in wide-discharge configurations while maintaining harvesting flexibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration ensures effective crop transfer and conditioning, allowing for a wider discharge opening while maintaining efficient crop collection and reducing the risk of blockages, enhancing the overall harvesting efficiency and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
the first impeller mounted on the first disk for rotation therewith about the respective upright axis thereof for contacting the cut crop such that crop cut thereby is carried inwardly in front of the first impeller toward the discharge opening
Implementation Method 2
a conditioning system comprising two parallel conditioner rolls defining a conditioning nip and a parallel transfer roll in front of the conditioning nip mounted within the discharge opening
Data Source
AI summary
In a rotary mower having ten generally horizontal cutter disks forming a total cutting length along the cutter bar of 16 feet, the discharge opening containing the parallel conditioner rolls and a parallel transfer roll has a width of at least 125 inches. This allows a first outermost one of the ten disks and approximately one half of the next adjacent disk to be mounted on the cutter bar outwardly of the discharge opening. A convergence system then includes only first and second impellers with the first impeller mounted on the first disk for rotation therewith and the second impeller mounted on an upper support above the impeller so that the second impeller hangs downwardly toward the second disk for contacting the cut crop and mounted immediately adjacent with the second impeller having a peripheral edge located at or immediately adjacent the vertical plane of the side of the discharge opening.