Suspension Locking Mechanism for Raised Harvester Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural harvesters, particularly those for sugarcane and sweet sorghum, lack a practical, functional, and safe solution to prevent the suspension assembly from lowering during maintenance, posing safety risks to operators and damaging the harvester.

Innovation Solution

A locking mechanism for the suspension assembly featuring a pivoting lock with a smaller opening than the actuator cylinder, interacting with retaining bearings and a safety return element, ensuring the harvester remains raised during maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional locking mechanisms (wedges, vertical locks) are used to prevent the harvester from lowering, then the suspension assembly can be locked in the raised position, but the mechanisms are complex, difficult to position, and create safety risks for operators

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of operators during maintenanceVSAvoidcomplexity of locking mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of applying locks vertically as in traditional mechanisms, this invention applies the lock horizontally against the actuator cylinder. The lock engages with the cylinder's surface perpendicular to its axis, inverting the conventional vertical locking approach. This horizontal application simplifies the mechanism structure, makes it easier to position and operate, while maintaining reliable prevention of suspension assembly lowering during maintenance operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary complex components from traditional locking mechanisms. By using a simplified horizontal lock that engages directly with the actuator cylinder surface, it removes the need for complex vertical positioning systems, multiple adjustment points, and elaborate safety interlocks, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining operator safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If traditional locking mechanisms are used, then the harvester can be raised, but the mechanisms have improper handling and positioning by operators, putting the operator at risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of positioning the lockVSAvoidsafety of operators during maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The horizontal locking approach inverts the conventional vertical locking method, making the lock significantly easier to position and handle. The horizontal orientation allows operators to naturally apply force and align the lock with the actuator cylinder surface, eliminating the difficulty of precise vertical positioning required by traditional mechanisms, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If complex vertical locks are used to prevent suspension movement, then the harvester can be locked, but the construction is more complex and interferes with operator handling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of suspension loweringVSAvoidhandling of operators and technicians

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the locking direction from vertical to horizontal, the mechanism maintains reliable prevention of suspension lowering while dramatically improving operator handling. The horizontal lock engages the actuator cylinder in a manner that does not interfere with operator access or movement, eliminating the interference problems caused by complex vertical locks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The simplified horizontal locking mechanism extracts unnecessary complexity from the system. It removes elaborate vertical locking components, multiple adjustment mechanisms, and complex safety interlocks, leaving only the essential locking function that is easier to handle and operate while maintaining reliable suspension prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS12490676B2Locking mechanism for the suspension assembly of a harvester and agricultural harvester

Publication Date: 2025.12.09 BLUE LEAF I P INC

AI summary

A locking mechanism for a suspension assembly of a harvester, particularly those intended for the harvest of tall and stem plants, such as sugarcane and sweet sorghum, being designed to ensure that the harvester remains raised during maintenance procedures and thus avoids the risk of accidents and damage to the harvester. The locking mechanism includes a lock pivotably mounted to the chassis through a pivoting connection at a pivot end of the lock and disposed adjacent to the actuator cylinder. The lock has an opening configured to at least partially surround a fixed portion of the actuator cylinder and has a circumferential diameter smaller than a diameter of a movable portion of the actuator cylinder. The locking mechanism further includes a locking element disposed at an opposite end of the lock. The locking element is configured to interact with retaining bearings mounted on the chassis.