Integrated Transverse Auger for Mower Crop Conditioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mowing machines with transverse conveyors and conditioners face challenges in ground adaptation and space constraints, particularly when mounted on tractors, due to the height offset and large assembly length of separate conditioner and conveyor components, which complicates the transfer of harvested crop and limits their use.
Innovation Solution
Integrating a transverse auger as both conditioner and conveyor, eliminating the need for separate conditioning rollers, with the auger designed to open and condition the crop directly, reducing weight and installation space, and allowing for a compact, lightweight arrangement that facilitates easier ground adaptation and tractor mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate conditioner rollers and cross conveyor are used, then sufficient conditioning of harvested crop is achieved, but assembly length and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the conditioner and cross conveyor into a single integrated unit where the cross conveyor auger performs both conditioning and conveying functions. The auger's rotating blades condition the crop while simultaneously transporting it laterally, eliminating the need for separate conditioner rollers and reducing overall assembly length.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross conveyor auger is designed to perform multiple functions: it conditions the harvested crop through its rotating blades while simultaneously conveying the material laterally. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the overall machine structure.
2Reliability
If separate conditioner and cross conveyor are used, then reliable crop transfer is achieved, but weight and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conditioner and cross conveyor are merged into a single integrated component, reducing the total weight of the mower combination while maintaining reliable crop transfer through the auger's designed geometry and rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross conveyor auger serves dual purposes as both conditioner and conveyor, eliminating redundant components and reducing overall weight while maintaining functional reliability through its multi-functional design.
3Ease of manufacture
If separate conditioner and cross conveyor are used, then adequate conditioning is achieved, but ground adaptation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated design of conditioner and cross conveyor reduces the number of connection points and potential height offsets between components, improving ground adaptation when driving over bumps while maintaining conditioning quality through the auger's rotating action.
4Ease of manufacture
If separate conditioner and cross conveyor are used, then sufficient crop opening is achieved, but space for tractor attachment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated conditioner-cross conveyor unit reduces the overall installation space required while maintaining crop opening effectiveness through the auger's rotating blades that condition the material during conveyance.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross conveyor auger performs both conditioning and conveying in a single component, reducing the total space required for installation while maintaining adequate crop opening through its multi-functional operation.
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 solution enables reliable transverse conveying and conditioning while minimizing weight and space requirements, improving ground adaptation and tractor attachment, and ensuring problem-free transfer of the harvested crop without transfer losses or jams.
Implementation Method 1
a transverse auger which can be driven in rotation about an auger axis lying essentially transversely to the direction of travel
Implementation Method 2
the flexing, bending, buckling and pressing work on the auger blades is sufficient to open up the crop sufficiently and to accelerate the drying process
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a mowing machine with at least one mowing unit (6) and a transverse conveyor (7) downstream of the mowing unit (6) for conveying the crop cut by the mowing unit (6) laterally, wherein the transverse conveyor (7) in particular has a transverse conveyor screw (8) which can be driven rotationally about a horizontal screw axis (15) transversely to the direction of travel. According to the invention, the transverse conveyor (7) is arranged directly behind the mowing unit (6) and the cut crop is transferred directly from the mowing unit (6) to the transverse conveyor (7).