Removable Divider Points for Narrower Harvesting Header Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing harvesting headers with removable divider points often exceed maximum width for public road transport, necessitating special permits or escorts, and are cumbersome to install and remove.
Innovation Solution
A harvesting header design featuring dividers with sliding tubes for divider points, allowing easy attachment and detachment without tools, enabling narrower transport and single-person operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If divider points are attached to the harvesting header, then the header can effectively harvest crops, but the header width exceeds maximum limits for public road transport
Solution Approach 1:
The harvesting header is divided into separable components: the main header body and the divider points. The divider points can be detached from the header, allowing the header to be transported in a narrower configuration and then reassembled for harvesting operations. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling the header to exist in two states: compact for transport and extended for harvesting.
Solution Approach 2:
The divider points are designed with dynamic attachment mechanisms (sliding tubes and latches) that allow them to be easily attached and detached. This dynamic configuration enables the header width to change based on operational needs, transitioning between a narrow transport state and a wide harvesting state, thus resolving the fixed width contradiction.
2Device complexity
If divider points are made permanently fixed on the header, then the structure is simpler, but the header becomes cumbersome to adapt for different harvesting operations and transport requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment structure is segmented into modular components: sliding tubes integrated into the divider and latch mechanisms. This segmentation allows the divider points to be easily attached and detached without requiring complex permanent fixation, thus maintaining simplicity while enabling adaptability for different operational requirements.
3Device complexity
If traditional attachment methods are used for divider points, then the structure is straightforward, but the installation and removal process requires multiple people and tools
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism incorporates self-aligning sliding tubes and spring-loaded latches that automatically engage when the divider point is inserted into the tube. This self-service design eliminates the need for tools and multiple people, as the mechanism guides and secures the divider point through simple manual insertion and latch operation, significantly improving ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A harvesting header includes a header frame structured to be coupled to a crop-harvesting machine, dividers at each end of the header frame, and at least one harvesting tool carried by the header frame between the first divider and the second divider. Each divider defines a tube therein structured to slidingly receive a divider point, Latches are configured to be partially within the tubes in one position, and entirely outside the tubes in another position, A divider point for a harvesting header includes a longitudinal member having a straight portion with a catch defined therein configured to be received within a tube defined by a divider of the harvesting header and a body extending from the longitudinal member, Methods of transporting and preparing harvesting headers are also disclosed.