Segmented Header Cover Mechanism to Minimize Crop Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing harvesting headers with foldable covers and warning devices face issues when transitioning from transport to harvesting positions in confined spaces, as the length of the cover elements can damage crops due to their width exceeding the header's working width.
Innovation Solution
The cover and warning device consists of two pivotable elements on each side of the header, composed of first and second components that pivot in opposite directions, allowing a compact folding motion akin to an accordion, reducing the swept area and minimizing crop damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the first element of the cover and warning device is made as a one-piece structure to cover the header laterally, then the covering function is improved, but the element becomes longer than the side panel width and may damage plants when moving between transport and harvesting positions
Solution Approach 1:
The first element is divided into a first component and a second component that can pivot relative to each other. The first component is pivotably attached to the rear cross member, and the second component is pivotably attached to the first component, creating a segmented structure that reduces the swept area during position transitions while maintaining covering functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover device utilizes multi-dimensional pivoting movements. The first component pivots about a first vertical axis, the second component pivots about a second vertical axis, and the second element pivots about a third axis extending in the forward direction. This multi-axis pivoting allows the cover to navigate through confined spaces with minimal plant damage.
2Area of stationary object
If the first element is made longer to cover the entire side panel width, then the lateral covering is improved, but the swept area increases and causes more plant damage during position transitions
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the first element into two pivotable components, the structure achieves full side panel coverage when needed while reducing the swept area during transitions. The segmented design allows the cover to fold or pivot through a smaller spatial envelope compared to a rigid one-piece structure of the same coverage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover device transitions from a static, rigid structure to a dynamic, multi-jointed mechanism. The pivoting components allow the cover to adapt its configuration during motion, minimizing the swept area during position transitions while maintaining full coverage capability when stationary in the harvesting position.
3Strength
If the cover elements are made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then the durability is improved, but the ability to pivot through confined spaces without damaging crops is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid structure is segmented into multiple components connected by pivot joints. Each component maintains structural integrity through its rigid construction, while the joints between components provide the necessary flexibility for maneuvering through confined spaces without compromising the overall strength of the cover device.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover device incorporates dynamic pivot joints that allow the rigid components to move relative to each other. This dynamic capability enables the structure to adapt to confined spaces during transitions while maintaining rigidity and strength when in the harvesting or transport positions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A cover and/or warning device (22) for a harvesting header (10) of a self-propelled harvesting machine comprises the following features: the harvesting header (10) has a central section (14) and two side sections (16, 18) attached to each lateral end of the central section (14), which are movable relative to the central section (14) between a lowered position for harvesting and a raised position for road travel, in which they are located above the central section (14); the cover and/or warning device (22) comprises, on both sides of the central section (14), a first element (26) which is pivotably connected at a first end about a first vertical axis (36) to a rear cross member (12) of the harvesting header (10) and is movable about the first axis (36) between a harvesting position of the cover and/or warning device (22), in which the first element (26) is located at the rear of the associated side panel (16,18) is located and is pivotable to a road driving position of the cover and/or warning device (22), in which the first element (26) covers the raised side part laterally, and the cover and/or warning device (22) comprises, on both sides of the central part (14), a second element (28) movably attached to the second, outer ends of the first element (26) between a harvesting and road driving position, which, in the road driving position of the cover and/or warning device (22), covers the harvesting header (10) forwards, wherein the first elements (26) are each composed of a first component (32) and a second component (34), wherein the first component (32) is pivotably attached at a first end about the first axis (36) to the rear cross member (12) of the harvesting header (10), the second component (36) is pivotably attached at a first end about a second, vertical axis (38). is attached to a second end of the first component (36),the second element (26) is attached to a second end of the second component (34) and the pivoting movements of the two components (32, 34) from the road driving position to the harvesting position about the first and second axes (36, 38) are opposite to each other.