Crop Pick-Up Header Auger Reversal for Foreign Object Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crop pick-up headers struggle to effectively remove foreign objects like stones or metal pieces due to limited space underneath the auger, leading to repeated interruptions during harvesting.
Innovation Solution
A control unit in the harvester/header combination actively raises the auger and windguard roll while reversing their rotation to dislodge foreign objects, followed by a sequence of steps including decoupling the reel and reversing its direction to ensure complete removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the auger is kept in a fixed position or passively pivoted, then the header structure remains simple, but foreign objects cannot be effectively removed due to lack of space underneath the auger
Solution Approach 1:
The auger is transformed from a fixed or passively pivoting component to an actively controllable one. The header now includes actuators that can dynamically adjust the auger's position vertically, enabling it to be raised to create space for foreign object removal operations while maintaining structural complexity through controlled adaptability.
2Reliability
If the feed rolls are stopped to remove foreign objects, then the harvesting process is interrupted, but the foreign objects can be accessed; however, accumulated crops remain stuck due to insufficient space
Solution Approach 1:
Before attempting to remove foreign objects, the system preliminarily raises the auger to create necessary space. This preliminary action prevents the problem of accumulated crops blocking foreign object removal, ensuring that when the feed rolls stop, both the foreign objects and accumulated crops can be effectively accessed and removed without repeated interruptions.
3Ease of operation
If the auger is actively raised during foreign object removal, then space is created for effective removal, but the device complexity increases due to additional actuators
Solution Approach 1:
The actuators that raise and lower the auger serve multiple functions: they control the auger's position during normal harvesting operations to optimize crop flow, and they create space for foreign object removal when needed. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving ease of foreign object removal.
Data Source
AI summary
In a harvester/header combination according to the invention, the header is a crop pick-up header (2) coupled to a forage harvester (1). The header comprises a frame (10) and a rotatable reel (13) configured to collect crops from the ground, a rotatable auger (20) provided with two oppositely wound helicoidal flights (26), and one or more windguard rolls (15). The auger is rotatable with respect to a pair of support arms (21) which are themselves pivotable relative to the frame, so that the pivoting movement of the arms results in lowering or raising the auger (20). According to the invention, the header comprises at least one set of actuators (18, 19) capable of actively raising the auger and the windguard roll(s) and the harvester/header combination comprises a control unit (46) configured to execute a sequence of steps for removing a foreign object from the header, after detection of the object and stoppage of the harvester's feed rolls (51). The removal sequence includes raising the auger while rotating the auger in the reverse direction, followed by lowering the auger while maintaining said reverse rotation.