Reciprocating Cutter Drive System for Agricultural Harvesting Head

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drive systems for agricultural vehicles, such as combine harvesters, face inefficiencies in converting rotary motion into linear motion for cutting actions, often requiring complex gearboxes that increase weight, cost, and complexity while reducing reliability.

Innovation Solution

A drive system utilizing a pivotable arm coupled with hydraulic cylinders and a flexible component to convert reciprocating rotary motion into linear motion, eliminating the need for a gearbox by using a tensioner and pulleys to generate tension in the flexible component, allowing the follower to perform cutting actions with reduced size, weight, and complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a gearbox is used to convert rotary motion to linear motion, then the cutting action can be achieved, but the weight, cost, and complexity of the drive system increase while reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidcomplexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the gearbox from the drive system by using a direct hydraulic actuator connection to the pivotable arm. The hydraulic cylinder directly provides the force needed to pivot the arm, eliminating the need for intermediate gear transmission components and their associated complexity and failure points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical gearbox system with a hydraulic actuation system. Instead of using mechanical gears to convert motion, a hydraulic cylinder directly provides the necessary force and motion control, substituting complex mechanical transmission with a more reliable hydraulic system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Weight of moving object

If a gearbox is used to convert rotary motion to linear motion, then the cutting action can be achieved, but the size and weight of the drive system increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveweightVSAvoidcomplexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If a pivotable arm with flexible component is used to convert rotary motion to linear motion, then the drive system size and weight are reduced, but the complexity of motion conversion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecomplexityVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic system where a pivotable arm connected to a hydraulic cylinder converts rotary motion to linear motion through controlled pivoting. The flexible component and tensioner system dynamically adapt to the motion conversion requirements, providing a compact and reliable solution that is relatively simple to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

The system achieves efficient, reliable, and cost-effective conversion of rotary motion to linear motion, reducing the size and weight of the drive system while improving power density and eliminating the need for a gearbox, resulting in improved efficiency and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

A tensioner may engage with the flexible component to generate tension in the flexible component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Data Source

PatentUS11903338B2Systems and methods for reciprocating a cutter of an agricultural harvesting head

Publication Date: 2024.02.20 DEERE & CO

AI summary

Systems and method for linearly displacing an object, such as a cutter or other component, in response to a rotation of a pivotable arm are disclosed. The systems and method encompass one or more actuators, such as hydraulic cylinders, to pivot a pivotable arm pivotable about an axis. A flexible component coupled to an end of the pivotable arm is displaced in response to the rotational motion of the pivotable arm. Movement of the flexible component in response to rotation of the pivotable arm is converted into linear motion via curved surface on which the flexible component rides. The pivotable arm is rotated in response to actuation of one or more actuators, such as one or more hydraulic cylinders, coupled to the pivotable arm.