Remote Roll Gap Adjustment in Crop Conditioner Assemblies

Solution Overview

Problem

Adjusting the roll gap in conditioner assemblies of agricultural implements requires operators to leave the cab of the agricultural vehicle, making it tedious and time-consuming for different crop types and volumes.

Innovation Solution

A conditioner assembly with a stabilizing link and adjustment mechanism that automatically pivots the top roll relative to the bottom roll in response to remote actuation, allowing for adjustable roll gap settings without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual tool-based adjustment of the roll gap is used, then the roll gap can be adjusted for different crop types and volumes, but the operator must leave the cab of the agricultural vehicle, making it tedious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroll gap adjustabilityVSAvoidadjustment convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated hydraulic system. A hydraulic cylinder is positioned between the top roll support structure and the conditioner frame, with its piston rod connected to the top roll assembly. The hydraulic cylinder can extend and retract to automatically move the top roll toward or away from the bottom roll, adjusting the roll gap without manual intervention. This allows the operator to control roll gap adjustment from within the cab using hydraulic controls, eliminating the need to leave the cab and use manual tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a hydraulic adjustment mechanism where a hydraulic cylinder provides the force necessary to move the top roll assembly. The hydraulic system allows for smooth, controlled adjustment of the roll gap by varying hydraulic fluid pressure and flow. This enables precise roll gap adjustment for different crop types and volumes while allowing the operator to remain in the cab, as hydraulic controls can be operated from the vehicle's control station.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual tool-based adjustment of the roll gap is used, then the roll gap can be adjusted for different crop types and volumes, but it requires the operator to leave the cab, increasing adjustment time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroll gap adjustabilityVSAvoidadjustment speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated hydraulic system. A hydraulic cylinder is positioned between the top roll support structure and the conditioner frame, with its piston rod connected to the top roll assembly. The hydraulic cylinder can extend and retract to automatically move the top roll toward or away from the bottom roll, adjusting the roll gap without manual intervention. This allows the operator to control roll gap adjustment from within the cab using hydraulic controls, eliminating the need to leave the cab and use manual tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The hydraulic system allows the operator to pre-adjust the roll gap settings for different crop types before operation. The hydraulic cylinder can be positioned to maintain optimal roll gaps for various crop conditions, and adjustments can be made quickly by simply operating hydraulic controls from the cab, rather than requiring time-consuming manual tool-based adjustments each time crop types change.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12532810B2Conditioner assembly with remote adjustable roll gap

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 MACDON INDS

AI summary

A conditioner assembly in an agricultural implement for conditioning cut crop material includes a top roll and a bottom roll rotatably supported by a pair of lateral side walls. The top roll is arranged relative to the bottom roll to define a roll gap therebetween for conditioning the cut crop material as the cut crop material passes therethrough. A stabilizing link extends between each of the lateral side walls and the top roll for pivotally coupling the top roll to the conditioner frame, and an adjustment mechanism extends between each of the lateral side walls and the top roll. The adjustment mechanism is selectively and remotely actuatable to automatically pivot the top roll toward and away from the bottom roll, thereby decreasing and increasing the roll gap for optimally conditioning different types and volumes of cut crop material received by the agricultural implement.