Pivotable Ejection Accelerator Module for Forage Harvester Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current self-propelled forage harvesters face difficulties in maintenance and repair due to the limited access and high wear of components related to the ejection accelerator and conveyor shaft, leading to increased costs and safety risks.

Innovation Solution

The ejection accelerator is designed as a self-contained structural unit that can be mounted and dismantled as a whole, featuring a rotatable mounting system allowing it to pivot into an access position within the maintenance room, facilitating easier installation, removal, and replacement, along with a lifting device to manage its weight and ensure safe operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the ejection accelerator is integrated into the machine structure with limited maintenance space, then the machine structure is compact, but maintenance and repair of components become difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance room spaceVSAvoidaccess to ejection accelerator components
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The ejection accelerator is segmented from the main machine structure as a separate, removable module. This allows the maintenance room to remain compact while the ejection accelerator can be easily accessed, removed, and replaced as a complete unit, resolving the contradiction between compact structure and ease of repair.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ejection accelerator is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to be moved between an operating position integrated into the machine and an access position that facilitates maintenance. This dynamic configuration enables both compact operation and easy maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the ejection accelerator components are fixed in position for structural stability, then the machine structure is stable, but component replacement requires labor-intensive partial dismantling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine structure stabilityVSAvoidmaintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The ejection accelerator is divided into a stable base structure and a removable functional module. The base remains fixed to maintain structural stability, while the functional module can be quickly removed and replaced, significantly reducing maintenance time without compromising overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ejection accelerator module is extracted as a separate replaceable unit from the main machine structure. This extraction allows rapid replacement of the entire module or its internal components without dismantling the stable base structure, reducing maintenance time while preserving structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of repair

If the ejection accelerator is accessible from the limited maintenance room, then maintenance can be performed, but the limited space makes service work more difficult and longer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent accessibilityVSAvoidmaintenance work efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ejection accelerator is segmented as a complete, self-contained module that can be removed as a unit. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to work on the module in a more spacious environment (either outside the machine or in an expanded maintenance area) rather than being constrained by the limited maintenance room space, improving both accessibility and operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ejection accelerator module is extracted from the machine and can be removed completely or partially from the limited maintenance room. This extraction eliminates the space constraint problem, allowing maintenance personnel to work on the component with adequate space and tools, significantly improving maintenance efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2708109B1Agricultural harvester
Publication Date: 2017.08.09 CLAAS SAULGAU GMBH
  • EP2708109B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2708109B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2708109B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The agricultural harvesting machine has working assembly that is provided for processing a crop stream. A discharge accelerator (4) is provided for the processed crop configured to be installed in entirety in an operating position downstream of the working assembly in a flow path of the crop stream and, provided to be removed from the operating position. The discharge accelerator is provided with accelerating mechanism and an enclosing housing.