Pivotable Corn Header Frame for Fore and Aft Pitch Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Corn headers on combine harvesters are typically fixed at a fore and aft angle, limiting the ability to optimize crop cutting and feeding, as the height can only be adjusted by pivoting or rotating the feederhouse, which does not account for variations in terrain or crop conditions.
Innovation Solution
A pivotable connection between the feederhouse interface and the header frame allows the harvesting header to adjust its fore and aft pitch, enabling optimal crop cutting and feeding by using hydraulic rams and a header control system that senses terrain and crop conditions to control the angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the header is fixed at a selected fore and aft angle on the feederhouse, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the ability to optimize crop cutting and feeding is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The header frame is made dynamically adjustable through a pivotable connection at the feederhouse interface, allowing the fore and aft angle to be changed from a fixed position to a variable position. This enables the header to adapt to different crop conditions and terrain while maintaining structural integrity through controlled movement around a pivot axis.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the feederhouse is pivoted to adjust header height, then the header height can be changed, but the fore and aft pitch cannot be optimized independently
Solution Approach 1:
The angle adjustment function is segmented into two independent controls: one for header height (feederhouse pivoting) and another for fore and aft pitch (header frame pivoting). This segmentation allows each parameter to be optimized independently without interfering with the other, improving operational flexibility and ease of use.
3Productivity
If the header frame is made pivotable on the feederhouse interface, then the fore and aft angle can be adjusted to optimize harvesting, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A pivotable connection acts as an intermediary mechanism between the feederhouse interface and the header frame, enabling fore and aft angle adjustment without requiring complete structural redesign. This intermediary pivot mechanism allows efficient angle changes while maintaining overall structural integrity and minimizing complexity.
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 adjustment enhances the harvesting efficiency by allowing the header to maintain optimal cutting performance over uneven terrain and varying crop conditions, improving crop collection and reducing mechanical stress on the harvesting equipment.
Implementation Method 1
using hydraulic rams and a header control system that senses terrain and crop conditions to control the angle
Data Source
AI summary
A harvesting header and feederhouse for use with a crop harvesting machine has a feederhouse interface at a distal end of the feederhouse and a header frame providing structural support for the harvesting header. The header frame has a top beam, a bottom beam, and first and second vertical main structures connecting the top and bottom beams. The feederhouse interface and the vertical main structures of the header frame are pivotably connected to enable the header frame to pivot with respect to the feederhouse interface.