Pivoting Forage Harvester Cutterbar Frame for Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing green crop cutterbars for forage harvesters are cumbersome to transport due to their rigid frames, requiring significant time for dismantling and reinstallation, and lack efficient folding mechanisms for road transport.
Innovation Solution
A green crop cutterbar with a frame comprising a middle part and two outer parts that pivot upwards and inwards relative to the middle part, allowing the entire unit to be raised into a transport position, eliminating the need for a separate drive train and safety cover, and enabling the cutterbar to remain attached to the forage harvester during road transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid frames are used for green crop cutterbars, then structural strength and stability are improved, but transport time and operational efficiency deteriorate due to required dismantling and reinstallation
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is designed with movable outer parts that can be pivoted between a lowered operating position and a raised transport position. This dynamic configuration allows the cutterbar to maintain structural integrity during operation while enabling rapid transition to a compact transport configuration without complete dismantling, thus reducing transport time while preserving strength when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame is divided into a middle part and two outer parts that can be independently positioned. The outer parts can be pivoted upward and inward relative to the middle part, creating a segmented structure that maintains overall strength through connections while allowing partial folding for transport. This segmentation enables the structure to be strong when deployed and compact when transported.
2Adaptability or versatility
If rigid frames with complete dismantling are used for transport, then transport flexibility is improved, but operational efficiency and time consumption worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic pivoting mechanism allows the frame to adapt between two distinct states: a fully lowered operating configuration for harvesting and a raised transport configuration for road movement. This dynamic adaptability provides transport flexibility while maintaining operational efficiency, as the transition between states is rapid and does not require complete disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support during operation, enables rapid transition to transport mode, and allows the cutterbar to remain attached to the forage harvester during transport. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate transport arrangements while maintaining both flexibility and productivity.
3Shape
If outer parts are pivoted into transport position, then transport configuration is improved, but structural stability during operation may worsen if not properly designed
Solution Approach 1:
The frame employs a dynamic positioning system where outer parts can be pivoted to specific positions (lowered for operation, raised for transport). The structure maintains stability in each position through proper mechanical design of the pivoting mechanism, ensuring that structural integrity is preserved during operation while enabling the desired transport configuration when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the frame into independent pivotable sections, each segment can be positioned optimally for its function. The connections between segments are designed to maintain structural stability when in the operating position while allowing smooth transition to the transport position, thus achieving both configuration flexibility and structural stability.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
A green crop cutting unit (12) for use on a forage harvester (10) comprises a frame (14), a number of cutting elements (16, 16') for cutting crop material from the ground, two transverse conveyors (18, 22) arranged on the outer sides of the green crop cutting unit (12), and a discharge conveyor (20). The frame (14) has a central section (28) and two outer sections (24, 26) which are movable between a lowered operating position and a raised transport position, in which they are pivoted upwards about horizontal pivot axes (38, 40) extending in the forward direction relative to the central section (28).