Spring Flotation for Center Draper Header Deck
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional grain harvesting headers with flexible cutterbars are ineffective in collecting all severed crop material, particularly when following ground contours at high speeds, and fail to convey the material effectively to the feeder house, and they struggle with controlling header height and sustaining damage from close proximity to the ground.
Innovation Solution
The harvesting header incorporates a flexible cutterbar and draper conveyor system with adjustable tilt arms and a header height sensing system, allowing for flexible movement and precise control of the cutterbar and draper assemblies to maintain efficient crop collection and conveyance, and includes a mechanism to restrict pivotal movement of the arms for both flexible and non-flexible configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the header uses a flexible cutterbar to follow ground contours, then the header can adapt to uneven terrain, but it becomes ineffective at receiving all severed crop material at high speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The cutterbar is designed with dynamic flexibility, allowing it to bend and follow ground contours while maintaining its ability to receive crop material. The flexibility is controlled through the linkage mechanism that connects the cutterbar to the header frame, enabling adaptive movement without sacrificing collection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutterbar employs a flexible structure that can bend and conform to the ground surface while still maintaining its functional integrity for receiving crop material. This flexible design allows the cutterbar to adapt to terrain variations without compromising its ability to collect severed crop at high speeds.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the flexible header follows ground contours closely, then it can cut grain effectively, but it fails to convey all received crop material to the feeder house
Solution Approach 1:
The draper conveyor system is designed with dynamic adjustment capabilities, allowing it to maintain proper positioning and conveyance function even as the header flexes to follow ground contours. The conveyor mechanism adapts its angle and position to ensure continuous effective crop material transport to the feeder house.
Solution Approach 2:
The header configuration allows for adjustment of the draper conveyor parameters (angle, position, speed) to optimize both ground contour following and crop material conveyance. By changing these parameters, the system can maintain effective operation under varying terrain conditions.
3Productivity
If the header operates in close proximity to the ground, then it can collect most grain, but it becomes damaged from terrain contact
Solution Approach 1:
The header incorporates protective elements and cushioning mechanisms positioned at strategic locations to absorb and distribute impact forces from ground contact. This beforehand protection reduces damage to critical components while allowing the header to operate close to the ground for effective grain collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The header utilizes flexible protective coverings and resilient materials on components that are prone to ground contact damage. These flexible elements absorb impact forces and prevent damage to underlying structural components, enabling reliable operation in close proximity to the ground.
4Measurement precision
If the header height is controlled precisely, then harvesting efficiency is improved, but the header becomes vulnerable to damage from uneven terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The header height control system incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms that allow the header to maintain precise height control under normal conditions while automatically adapting to uneven terrain. The system can flex and adjust its position in response to terrain variations, preventing damage while maintaining harvesting efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The header employs feedback mechanisms (such as height sensors and position detectors) that continuously monitor header position and terrain conditions. This feedback allows the control system to make real-time adjustments, maintaining precise height control when possible and adapting to prevent damage when terrain conditions require it.
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
This design enhances the ability to collect and convey crop material efficiently, maintains header height control, and reduces damage from uneven terrain, ensuring effective harvesting across varying ground contours.
Implementation Method 1
Spring flotation for center deck of draper header
Data Source
AI summary
A harvesting machine includes a harvesting header with a header frame, a cutterbar assembly attached to the header frame along the length thereof and configured to cut a crop, and a draper assembly positioned behind the cutterbar assembly. The draper assembly includes a center draper that delivers crop material to a feeder house of the harvesting machine. The center draper includes a draper frame swingably supported on the header frame at a pivot to project forwardly therefrom and a draper belt supported on the draper frame to present a rearwardly moving run for conveying the crop rearwardly. The center draper includes a counterbalance mechanism coupled between the header and draper frames to counteract the weight of the center draper about the pivot.