Swather Header Mounting With Pneumatic Shock Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural implements face challenges in managing dynamic and static forces during operation, particularly when stabilizing components like gauge wheels encounter varying terrain, leading to significant shock forces and instability.
Innovation Solution
A suspension mechanism incorporating an expandable pressurized gas bag and a pneumatic system is used to adjust the transfer of forces between the swather header and the propulsion unit, providing support, isolation, resistance, cushioning, and damping of these forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid mounting system is used to securely attach the swather header to the propulsion unit, then structural strength and stability are improved, but dynamic shock forces from terrain variations are transmitted directly to the propulsion unit, causing instability and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
A mounting assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the swather header and propulsion unit. This assembly includes shock-absorbing elements (such as springs or dampers) that mediate the force transmission, allowing the structural connection to remain strong while filtering out harmful dynamic shock forces from gauge wheels encountering varying terrain
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting assembly incorporates pneumatic or hydraulic shock-absorbing elements that use gas or fluid compression to dissipate dynamic shock forces. These elements provide controlled resistance to vertical movements and shocks transmitted through the swather header, reducing the impact on the propulsion unit while maintaining secure attachment
2Object-affected harmful factors
If mechanical springs are positioned between the lift arms and the main body of the propulsion unit to provide shock absorption, then dynamic force cushioning is improved, but the system complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly merges multiple functions into a single integrated structure: structural support, shock absorption, and height adjustment capabilities. By combining these functions in one assembly rather than using separate mechanical spring systems, the design reduces overall system complexity while maintaining effective dynamic force cushioning
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical spring systems with simpler pneumatic or hydraulic mounting assemblies. These assemblies use compressible gas or fluid chambers that provide shock absorption through pressure changes, eliminating the need for intricate mechanical spring mechanisms while achieving the same cushioning effect with fewer moving parts
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 system effectively absorbs and dampens dynamic shocks, maintaining stability and control over the swather header's height and tilt, enhancing crop yield and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a header suspension system including an expandable pressurized gas bag operably interposed between the boot and the lift horn member
Implementation Method 2
The system effectively absorbs and dampens dynamic shocks, maintaining stability and control over the swather header's height and tilt
Implementation Method 3
a pneumatic system configured to control a pressure of gas in the gas bag to, thereby, adjust an extent to which the mounting apparatus is operable to transfer, to the lift arm a force acting upon the main header frame
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural system comprises a propulsion unit comprises at least one, generally longitudinally extending, lift arm. The system also comprises a generally transversely extending implement comprising a generally transversely extending main frame. The implement may be a swather header and has a weight. The at least one lift arm is operable to support at least a first portion of the weight. A connection apparatus connects the at least one lift arm to the implement and transmit forces between the implement and the least one lift arm. The connection apparatus may be located proximate a distal end region of the at least one lift arm, and comprises a suspension mechanism operable to any one or more of, support, isolate, resist, cushion, absorb and dampen static forces and/or dynamic forces during the transmission of the static and/or dynamic forces between the implement and the at least one lift arm of the propulsion unit.