Steerable Header Ground Support for Harvester Traction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-propelled agricultural harvesters face challenges in maneuvering and traction on difficult ground conditions due to the limited load-bearing capacity of their headers, which are not separately supported on the ground, leading to issues with movement on side slopes or soggy ground.
Innovation Solution
The harvesting machine is equipped with steerable and powered header ground-engaging means, such as wheels and/or caterpillar tracks, connected to a steering control device that allows for manual or automatic control, ensuring the header is both supported and actively moved forward, improving traction and reducing soil compaction, without the need for a separate actuator for pivoting the harvesting attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the header width is increased to expand harvesting capacity, then the productivity is improved, but the load-bearing capacity of the harvesting machine is exceeded and the machine cannot move on difficult ground
Solution Approach 1:
The harvesting system is divided into two independent segments: the main harvesting machine and the separately supported header. The header is equipped with its own ground-engaging means (wheels or tracks) that are independently supported on the ground, separating the load-bearing function from the main machine chassis. This allows the header to be made wider for increased productivity while the main machine maintains its original load-bearing capacity and mobility characteristics.
2Device complexity
If the header is rigidly attached to the chassis to simplify structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the machine cannot maneuver effectively on side slopes or soggy ground
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the header and the main machine is segmented and made pivotable about a vertical axis, allowing independent movement of the header relative to the chassis. The header is supported on its own ground-engaging means, enabling it to navigate side slopes and difficult terrain independently while the main machine follows its own path.
Solution Approach 2:
The header is made dynamically adjustable through pivotable mounting about a vertical axis, allowing it to change its orientation and position relative to the main machine based on ground conditions. The ground-engaging means on the header can be steered independently to adapt to side slopes and maintain proper harvesting alignment on difficult terrain.
3Device complexity
If the header is passively steered to reduce control complexity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the header cannot be actively guided on the desired track on side slopes
Solution Approach 1:
The header ground-engaging means are equipped with active steering capability through externally powered actuators that can be controlled to steer the header on a desired path. The pivotable mounting about the vertical axis enables this active steering function, allowing the header to be guided independently along the desired harvesting track even on side slopes.
4Device complexity
If the header is not separately supported on the ground to simplify the support structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the turning radius increases and maneuverability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is segmented from the main machine chassis and assigned to the header's own ground-engaging means. These means include wheels or tracks that are independently supported on the ground, allowing the header to bear its own weight and maneuver independently, thereby reducing the turning radius and improving overall maneuverability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The harvester (10) has an undercarriage (12) supported in ground intervention units (14, 16) that are steerable with a steering device (62). A crop processing unit (35) is arranged within the undercarriage. Introduction conveyers (36) i.e. belt conveyers, are arranged at a front side of the undercarriage. The conveyers are arranged upstream of a harvest unit that is swingable opposite to the undercarriage around a vertical axle (56). The harvest unit are supported on the ground by harvest unit-ground intervention units (52, 76), which are steerable by an actuator (54). : The actuator is a hydraulic cylinder or electromotor. USE : Self-propelled agricultural harvester i.e. combine harvester. Can also be used for a chaff-cutter, cotton picker and self-propelled bale press. ADVANTAGE : The actuator for steering the harvest unit-ground intervention unit is connected with a steering control unit, so that the harvest unit-ground intervention units are manually or automatically steered in a desired manner so as to move a harvesting header and the machine at a desired track. The header is supported by the harvest unit-ground intervention units, and actively moved forward and actively steered, thus improving traction in difficult soil condition and reducing soil compaction. The harvester avoids the need of a separate actuator for pivoting the header relative to the undercarriage of the harvester. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS : The drawing shows a plan view of a self-propelled agricultural harvester with a header and two transport vehicles. 10 : Self-propelled agricultural harvester 12 : Undercarriage 14, 16 : Ground intervention units 35 : Crop processing unit 36 : Introduction conveyers 52, 76 : Harvest unit-ground intervention units 54 : Actuator 56 : Vertical axle 62 : Steering device.