Transverse Picking Gap Header for Downed Stalk Harvesting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing harvesters face challenges in efficiently collecting and processing downed crop stalks, as the collection and transfer of non-vertically standing stalks to the picking gap is problematic, leading to crop congestion and potential loss.
Innovation Solution
A header with a continuous picking gap oriented transversely to the direction of travel, combined with oppositely rotating stalk rolls extending along the entire header, ensures uninterrupted intake and safe feeding of plant stalks, preventing jamming and ensuring continuous conveying even with downed stalks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the picking gap extends in the forward direction, then the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the center of gravity shifts forward and the header becomes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The picking gap is reoriented from the conventional forward direction to a transverse direction perpendicular to the direction of travel. This dimensional change allows the picking mechanism to be positioned laterally rather than longitudinally, reducing the header length while maintaining functionality. The stalk rolls and picking plates are arranged side-by-side across the width of the header rather than extending along its length.
2Length of moving object
If the picking gap is oriented transversely to the direction of travel, then the header length is reduced and center of gravity is improved, but the intake of harvested material is hindered by interruption at the end of the picking gap
Solution Approach 1:
The stalk rolls are designed to extend continuously along the entire width of the header, creating an uninterrupted picking surface. As material enters the transverse picking gap at one location, the continuous stalk rolls ensure that picking action occurs simultaneously across all widths, preventing gaps in the harvesting process and maintaining continuous material flow to the processing system.
3Device complexity
If conventional pickers are used with finite picking gaps, then the structure is compact, but crop congestion and blockages occur at the end of the picking gap under unfavorable conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The picking mechanism is divided into multiple independent picking plates arranged side-by-side across the header width, with continuous stalk rolls providing support beneath each segment. This segmentation allows each picking plate to operate independently while being supported by the continuous stalk rolls, preventing congestion at any single location and maintaining reliability even when processing downed or irregularly positioned crop.
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 solution ensures safe removal of plant stalks from the harvesting area and reliable transfer to downstream picking devices, preventing crop congestion and loss, while maintaining continuous conveying of goods.
Implementation Method 1
The draw-in is performed by oppositely rotating stalk rolls, which are arranged below the picking gap and pull the stalk between themselves downwards
Implementation Method 2
each comprising an infeed conveyor for conveying cut plant stalks through a conveyor channel
Implementation Method 3
an intermediate conveyor for taking over the plant stalk from the infeed conveyor and feeding it to a picking device
Data Source
AI summary
A header for harvesting stalk-like plants includes a number of gatherer assemblies arranged side by side for cutting off and conveying plants to a picking device arranged downstream of the gatherer assemblies. The picking device extends transversely to a direction of travel over the entire working width of at least one half of the header and includes a picking gap and stalk roll below the picking gap to separate fruits from the plants and to deliver them for a separate utilization.