Rotatable Transverse Gearbox for Combine Header Drive Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driveline systems in combine harvesters limit the amplitude of header movement due to the angular range of rotational connections, particularly when both tilting and lateral flotation are required, making them unsustainable as combine sizes increase and movement requirements become more complex.
Innovation Solution
A transverse gearbox is mounted on the cradle frame with its housing rotatably arranged relative to the cradle frame, and a mechanical link is provided to maintain alignment with the combine's driveline, eliminating the need for a universal joint between the gearbox output axle and the header drive axle, thereby increasing the freedom of header movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a transverse gearbox is bolted to the side of the feeder with a complex rotational connection to the header drive axle, then the header can be operationally coupled to the combine, but the angular range of the rotational connection limits the amplitude of the header's movements
Solution Approach 1:
The gearbox housing is made rotatable relative to the cradle frame about a transverse rotation axis, allowing the gearbox to dynamically adjust its orientation to maintain alignment with the driveline during header movements. This dynamic configuration eliminates the need for complex universal joints and significantly increases the header's movement amplitude while keeping the system relatively simple.
2Productivity
If combines increase in size and header movement requirements increase, then the harvesting capability is improved, but the existing driveline mechanism becomes unsustainable
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable gearbox housing allows the driveline mechanism to adapt to larger combine sizes and increased header movement requirements. By enabling the gearbox to rotate and maintain proper alignment dynamically, the system can support bigger combines with more complex harvesting requirements without becoming unsustainable.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a universal joint is used between the gearbox output axle and header drive axle, then rotational coupling is achieved, but the freedom of movement of the cradle frame is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a universal joint, the gearbox housing itself is made rotatable about a transverse axis. This dynamic rotation of the housing maintains the alignment between the driveline input and the gearbox input axle while allowing the cradle frame complete freedom of movement. The output axle remains directly connected to the header drive axle without restrictive universal joints.
Data Source
AI summary
In a combine harvester, the forward-directed driveline from the combine is coupled to the transversely oriented header drive axle through a transverse gearbox that is mounted on a moveable cradle frame onto which the header is mounted. In addition, the housing of the gearbox or at least the portion of the housing including the input axle of the gearbox is rotatably arranged relative to the cradle frame, about a rotation axis oriented transversely to the combine's forward direction. A mechanical link is furthermore provided between the rotatable gearbox housing (portion) and the feeder housing, configured to control the orientation of the input axle of the transverse gearbox, so as to maintain the alignment of the input axle relative to the driveline of the combine.