Pick-up Header Without External Frame for Merger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windrow merger machines with external frames beneath the conveyor suffer from material accumulation, which can slow or stop the conveyor, reduce efficiency, and increase the risk of damage due to trapped material and reduced ground clearance.
Innovation Solution
A windrow merger apparatus with a pick-up header and conveyor that eliminates the need for an external frame beneath the conveyor by using skid shoes mounted on a main pivot shaft and adjustable linkages, allowing for independent adjustment of the pick-up header and skid shoe orientation, preventing material from accumulating and ensuring clear passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an external frame is positioned beneath the conveyor to support skid shoes, then the skid shoes can be mounted and adjusted, but material accumulates in areas above the external frame creating catch points that trap material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the external frame that was previously positioned beneath the conveyor. Instead, skid shoes are mounted directly to the conveyor structure itself, eliminating the source of material accumulation and catch points while maintaining skid shoe functionality and adjustability
2Reliability
If an external frame is positioned beneath the conveyor, then skid shoes can be mounted for ground clearance, but the external frame takes up room beneath the machine reducing ground clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The external frame is completely removed from the design. Skid shoes are mounted directly to the conveyor structure, eliminating the space-consuming external frame and maximizing ground clearance while still maintaining the necessary clearance through skid shoe adjustment
3Adaptability or versatility
If an external frame with attachment points is used for skid shoes, then skid shoes can be adjusted for field conditions, but the attachment points create catch points that trap material
Solution Approach 1:
The separate external frame with its attachment points is removed. Skid shoes are mounted directly to the conveyor structure at optimized locations that do not create catch points, maintaining adjustability for field conditions while eliminating material trapping
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting approach is changed from an external frame structure to direct integration with the conveyor. This dimensional repositioning allows skid shoes to be adjusted for field conditions without creating the harmful catch points that occurred with the external frame configuration
4Length of stationary object
If material accumulates on the conveyor due to external frame obstruction, then ground clearance is reduced, but the accumulated material can slow or stop the conveyor and lead to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The external frame is removed entirely, eliminating the obstruction that caused material accumulation. This prevents material buildup that would reduce ground clearance and stop the conveyor, maintaining both clearance and operational efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
By removing the external frame before material accumulation can occur, the patent prevents the chain of problems: no frame means no catch points, no catch points means no material accumulation, no accumulation means maintained ground clearance and continuous conveyor operation
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2A
AI summary
A merger apparatus including a pick-up header (150); a conveyor (130) with a conveyor belt; a skid shoe (170) disposed below the pick-up header (150) and the conveyor (130); and an operative connection between the pick-up header and the skid shoe that enables the merger apparatus to articulate independently of an external frame underneath the conveyor (130), such that loose material transported by the conveyor belt that lags beneath the return side may fall to the ground keeping the return side of the conveyor belt free from obstructions.