Mower-conditioner Ejection Tunnel Segmentation for Homogeneous Plant Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mower-conditioner machines face issues with non-homogeneous distribution of cut plants when the assembly is raised to avoid obstacles, leading to instability and uneven plant dispersal, as the rigid ejection tunnel's height variation affects the direction of plant fall.
Innovation Solution
The mower-conditioner features a fairing articulated with the ejection tunnel, which is itself articulated with the frame via a transverse axis positioned behind the conditioning system, allowing the ejection tunnel to maintain a stable position regardless of the cutter bar's position, ensuring homogeneous plant distribution and improved machine stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the ejection tunnel is rigidly assembled with the cutter bar and conditioning system, then the machine structure is simple and strong, but the plant distribution becomes non-homogeneous when the assembly is raised to avoid obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ejection tunnel into two independent parts: a front part articulated with the cutter bar and conditioning system, and a rear part fixed to the frame. This segmentation allows the front part to move with the cutting assembly while the rear part remains stationary, ensuring plants are always ejected toward a fixed location for homogeneous distribution, while maintaining structural simplicity through the fixed rear portion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the frame is positioned high above the ground to accommodate the rigid assembly displacement, then the machine can pass obstacles, but the machine stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the ejection tunnel into a movable front part and a fixed rear part, the patent allows the cutter bar to be raised for obstacle passage while keeping the plant ejection point stationary. This enables the frame to maintain a lower, more stable position relative to the ground, as the fixed rear tunnel ensures proper plant distribution regardless of cutter bar height.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the ejection tunnel is articulated to move vertically with the cutter bar, then the machine can adapt to terrain variations, but the plant fall direction varies causing non-homogeneous distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent articulates only the front part of the ejection tunnel with the cutter bar and conditioning system, while keeping the rear part fixed to the frame. This allows the front section to adapt to terrain variations by moving with the cutting assembly, while the fixed rear section ensures plants are consistently directed toward the same ground location, maintaining homogeneous distribution.
4Device complexity
If the fairing is integral with the rigid assembly, then the structure is simple, but the plant ejection direction varies when the assembly is raised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the fairing from the rigid assembly by articulating it with the front part of the ejection tunnel. This allows the fairing to move with the cutter bar for obstacle passage while maintaining proper alignment with the fixed rear tunnel, ensuring consistent plant ejection direction without requiring a completely rigid structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a harvesting/packaging machine including a harvesting mechanism provided with a cutter (3), a plant-packaging system (4), and a means for collecting said elements from the ground, said assembly being supported by a frame (1) provided with a shroud (13), said machine, also comprising a plant ejection tunnel (14) uninterruptedly arranged with the packaging system (4), is characterized in that the shroud (13) is hinged to the ejection tunnel (14) by means of a transverse pin (17) positioned in the machine above and slightly behind the plant-packaging system (4), and in that said ejection tunnel (14) is in turn hinged to the frame (1).