Pivoting Combine Header Trailer Rear Loading Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional transport trailers for combine headers require side loading and unloading, making transportation difficult and prone to causing crop damage due to the need for complex maneuvering, and often block roads.
Innovation Solution
A combine header transport trailer with a pivotable header mount that can rotate between rear and side loading positions, allowing for rear unloading and alignment with the combine harvester, reducing the need for extensive maneuvering and minimizing crop damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional side loading and unloading is used, then the combine header can be transported, but the transportation blocks roads and causes crop damage due to complex maneuvering
Solution Approach 1:
The header mount is made dynamically pivotable between side loading position and rear loading position, allowing the system to adapt its configuration based on operational needs. This dynamic repositioning capability enables the trailer to switch between traditional side loading and the innovative rear loading approach, thereby reducing crop damage and road blockage while maintaining transportation functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention inverts the traditional loading approach by enabling rear loading instead of side loading. The header mount can pivot to position the combine header at the rear of the trailer, allowing the trailer to back up to the combine for loading/unloading. This inversion of the loading direction eliminates the need for complex side maneuvering that causes crop damage and road blockage
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the transport trailer backs up to align with the combine header, then less maneuvering is required and crop damage is reduced, but the trailer structure must be pivotable
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer structure is segmented into the frame and the pivotably connected header mount. This segmentation allows the header mount to independently pivot relative to the frame, enabling the rear loading position without requiring complete structural redesign of the entire trailer. The modular segmentation isolates the complexity to only the necessary pivoting mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The header mount serves multiple functions: it supports the combine header during transport, enables pivoting between side and rear loading positions, and facilitates both loading and unloading operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby limiting the increase in overall structural complexity while achieving the desired backup alignment capability
3Productivity
If rear loading and unloading is enabled, then transportation efficiency is improved and road blockage is avoided, but the header mount must be pivotable
Solution Approach 1:
The header mount incorporates dynamic pivoting capability that allows it to transition between side loading position and rear loading position. This dynamic adaptability enables the system to optimize for transportation efficiency by positioning the header for rear loading, while the pivoting mechanism itself is designed to be relatively simple, involving basic rotational movement around a vertical axis
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot body is integrated with the header mount structure, combining the pivoting function with the header support function. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate pivoting mechanisms and header mounts, thereby improving transportation efficiency through rear loading capability while minimizing the increase in structural complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure may include a combine header transport trailer, including a header cart with a frame, a vertical axis, a header mount, and a pivot body. The header mount is configured to rotate about the vertical axis of the header cart between a rear loading position and a side loading position.