Three-Section Auger with Inward Joints for Crop Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing harvesting headers with three-piece augers face issues with crop hang-up at junction points between the center and wing sections, leading to inefficiencies in crop transfer and potential blockages.
Innovation Solution
The design features a three-section auger with joints positioned inwardly of the frame hinge axis, allowing longitudinal movement and angle changes between sections to ensure crop is carried past these junction points, and includes a split rear wall and reel configuration to prevent hang-ups, with each auger section connected via universal and slide couplings for efficient rotation and movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the auger is divided into separate sections to accommodate frame pivoting, then the header can swing movements of frame parts, but crop hang-up occurs at the junction points between sections
Solution Approach 1:
The auger is divided into multiple sections (first auger section, second auger section, third auger section) that can move independently relative to each other. Each section is connected through joints that allow longitudinal movement and angle changes, enabling the auger to adapt to frame pivoting while preventing crop hang-up by ensuring continuous crop carry across junction points.
Solution Approach 2:
The auger sections are designed with dynamic connections through joints that allow longitudinal movement and angle changes between sections. This dynamic configuration enables the auger to accommodate the swinging movements of the frame parts without creating fixed junction points that would cause crop hang-up, while maintaining continuous crop transfer capability.
2Productivity
If the auger sections are connected with joints allowing movement, then crop flow is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The joints connecting the auger sections are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: they transfer rotation between sections, allow longitudinal movement to accommodate frame pivoting, and permit angle changes to maintain proper auger orientation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms and simplifies the overall connection system while maintaining high crop transfer efficiency.
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 configuration enhances crop transfer efficiency by avoiding collection at common junction points, improving the flow of crop into the center of the header and reducing the risk of blockages, thereby optimizing the harvesting process.
Implementation Method 1
an auger located adjacent the top edge of the rear wall comprising an auger flight mounted on a longitudinally extending elongate rotatable member arranged such that rotation of the member drives the flight in a direction to carry crop inwardly toward a center of the header
Implementation Method 2
the first end section is connected to a first end of the center section by a first joint and the second end section is connected to a second end of the center section by a second joint; where each of the first and second joints acts to transfer rotation from one section to another section at the joint; where each of the first and second joints allows movement of said one section relative to the other section in a direction longitudinally of the auger; where each of the first and second joints allows change of an angle of an axis of the member of one section relative to an axis of the member of the other section at the joint
Data Source
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AI summary
In a harvesting header having a main frame divided into a center portion and two wing portions connected for pivotal movement about forwardly extending axes and including a rear wall behind the side drapers so that the rear wall and the main beam are separated at the axis there is provided a reel mounted on reel arms and a rear auger mounted at the top of the rear wall. The reel and the auger are also divided into three sections arranged end to end along the rear wall. The joint in the auger is arranged not at the axis but at a position spaced inwardly of the first axis so that the flight of the auger extends past the first space and past the end planes of the reel sections and reel support structure to carry the crop engaging the first flight past the first space to the center portion of the header frame.