Mowing Rotor Blade Enveloping Circle Geometry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mowing and intake devices for crops suffer from double cuts and uncontrolled entrainment of harvested crops, leading to crop loss and disruption of the cutting process due to misalignment and protruding moving parts.

Innovation Solution

The rotating blade is clamped on the surface of the fixed counter-blade in the mowing rotor, ensuring identical enveloping circles around the axis of rotation, reducing double cuts and uncontrolled crop pickup by maintaining a controlled cutting and conveying process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the outer enveloping circles of the rotating blade and the stationary counter blade are at different distances from the axis of rotation, then the cutting device can accommodate various crop types, but double cuts occur and harvested crops are uncontrolledly entrained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to various crop typesVSAvoidcutting process stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a specific geometric configuration where the enveloping circles of the rotating and stationary blades touch at exactly one point in the conveying section. This localized precision at the contact point ensures reliable cutting without double cuts, while the overall blade design maintains adaptability to different crop types through adjustable blade geometry and positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If moving parts protrude beyond other parts of the cutting device, then the cutting edges can effectively engage crops, but harvested crops are taken away uncontrolled and accumulate outside the conveying path

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting efficiencyVSAvoiduncontrolled crop entrainment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the protrusion problem by transitioning from a radial dimension approach to a tangential dimension approach. The blades are configured so their enveloping circles touch at a point located in the conveying section, utilizing the tangential motion direction to guide crops smoothly through the cutting zone and into the conveying path, preventing uncontrolled entrainment while maintaining cutting effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Strength

If the rotating knife and stationary counter knife are spaced apart, then the cutting device can handle thicker stalks, but the cut becomes more striking than clean and requires significantly higher forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to cut thick stalksVSAvoidcutting force requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the spacing and geometric configuration of the rotating and stationary blades. The enveloping circles are configured to touch at one point, creating an optimal contact parameter that enables clean cutting of thick stalks without requiring excessive force. This precise parameter optimization balances cutting capability with energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 minimizes double cuts and uncontrolled crop entrainment, ensuring a secure and efficient cutting and conveying process, reducing crop loss and maintaining high cutting quality.

Implementation Method 1

The rotating blade is held in a sliding manner and clamped on the surface of the fixed counter blade in the mowing rotor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The tighter the rotating blade is held clamped on the fixed counter-blade, the less power is required for the cut to be made by the two interacting cutting edges

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNormal force: Force

Data Source

PatentEP2781148B1Mowing and intake device for cutting and removing stalk crops
Publication Date: 2017.11.22 CARL GERINGHOFF GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2781148B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2781148B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2781148B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The device (2) has cutting rotors (6) distributed over a working width of a main portion of the device. Each rotor includes a driving device and a cutting device with a rotating blade and a fixed counter blade. The cutting device is arranged on external periphery drive teeth of the driver device to define receiving pockets for receiving and transportation of harvested crops. Outer cladding circles of the rotating and counter blades in a conveying direction in a cutting zone of the cutting rotors have an identical spacing from a rotational axis of the rotor.