Sacrificial Connectors for Agricultural Header Frame Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Draper headers in agricultural vehicles are prone to structural damage when the cutter bar assembly collides with immobile objects, leading to costly repairs or replacement, and existing solutions like springs cause inconsistency in cutting due to compression and rebound.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating sacrificial connectors with deformable or shatterable regions that absorb overload forces, connected to linkage arms and the frame, allowing the header to crumple or shatter upon impact, thus limiting damage to structural components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If springs are used to limit frame damage during collision, then frame damage is reduced, but cutter bar consistency deteriorates due to compression and rebound movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe damage resistanceVSAvoidcutting consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is divided into a connector body and a sacrificial region, separating the load-bearing function from the energy-absorbing function. The connector body maintains structural integrity for supporting the cutter bar, while the sacrificial region absorbs impact energy through deformation, preventing both frame damage and cutter bar movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sacrificial region is designed as a replaceable component that deforms or fractures during impact to protect expensive structural components. Instead of damaging the entire connector or frame, only the sacrificial region needs replacement, providing an economical solution that maintains cutting consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Strength

If the frame is made more robust to prevent damage, then collision resistance improves, but device complexity and repair cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision resistanceVSAvoidframe structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connector structure is segmented into a durable connector body and a sacrificial region. This segmentation allows the main frame structure to remain simple and robust while the sacrificial region provides the necessary collision protection through controlled deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sacrificial region acts as a disposable protective element that absorbs impact energy. This approach avoids the need for complex robust frame structures, as the sacrificial region provides collision resistance at minimal cost and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the connector is made fully rigid to support the cutter bar, then support stability improves, but damage propagation to the frame increases during impact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutter bar support stabilityVSAvoidimpact force transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is segmented into a rigid connector body that provides stable support for the cutter bar and a sacrificial region that absorbs impact energy. This segmentation allows the support function and energy absorption function to be performed by different parts of the same component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sacrificial region acts as an intermediary between the rigid connector body and the frame. It mediates the impact force by deforming or fracturing, preventing full transmission of impact forces to the frame while maintaining stable support during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 sacrificial connectors reduce the risk of damage to the header's structural components, allowing for consistent cutting during harvesting and enabling easy and cost-effective replacement of damaged parts, minimizing downtime.

Implementation Method 1

a sacrificial region configured to deform upon an overload force acting on the connected linkage arm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

configured to deform or shatter upon an overload force acting on the respectively connected linkage arm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFracture: Fracture Mechanics

Data Source

PatentUS10299437B2Header for an agricultural vehicle with deformable supports

Publication Date: 2019.05.28 BLUE LEAF I P INC

AI summary

An agricultural vehicle includes a chassis and a header carried by the chassis. The header includes: a frame coupled to the chassis; a cutter bar assembly connected to the frame; a plurality of linkage arms connected to the cutter bar assembly; and a plurality of sacrificial connectors each connected to a respective one of the linkage arms and the frame, each of the plurality of sacrificial connectors including at least one sacrificial region configured to deform or shatter upon an overload force acting on the respectively connected linkage arm.