Universal Crop Head Assembly for Multi-Crop Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current crop harvesting technologies require separate mechanisms for small grain and large grain harvesting, leading to inefficiencies and increased capital costs for farmers and contract harvesters.
Innovation Solution
A universal crop head assembly that employs two crop cutting means, including a conventional reel and a secondary cutter, allowing for the harvesting of both small grains and large grains, such as corn, using a single mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate crop gathering heads are used for small grain and large grain harvesting, then harvesting effectiveness for each crop type is optimized, but capital costs and equipment complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single crop gathering head that can harvest both small grain and large grain crops. The head incorporates adjustable components including the reel position, cutter bar height, and finger configuration that can be modified to accommodate different crop types, eliminating the need for separate specialized headers for each crop category.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics through multiple adjustable components that can be reconfigured for different harvesting needs. The reel position is adjustable vertically and horizontally, the cutter bar height is variable, and the fingers can be repositioned or removed entirely. This dynamic adjustability allows the same hardware to optimize performance across different crop types without requiring separate fixed-design headers.
2Reliability
If separate crop gathering heads are used for small grain and large grain harvesting, then harvesting effectiveness for each crop type is optimized, but capital costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single crop gathering head that can harvest both small grain and large grain crops. The head incorporates adjustable components including the reel position, cutter bar height, and finger configuration that can be modified to accommodate different crop types, eliminating the need for separate specialized headers for each crop category.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies merging by combining the functionality of what were traditionally two separate headers (small grain and large grain) into a single integrated unit. By consolidating these functions, the patent reduces the total number of capital equipment purchases needed while maintaining the harvesting effectiveness of both specialized designs through adjustable components.
3Productivity
If conventional reel mechanisms with fingers are used for small grain harvesting, then plants are effectively gathered and cut, but the mechanism is ineffective for corn harvesting as ears are stripped to the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the reel fingers adjustable rather than fixed. The fingers can be repositioned along the reel circumference and adjusted in their angular orientation. For corn harvesting, the fingers can be positioned to clear above the ear level, preventing ear stripping. For small grain, they can be positioned lower to effectively gather and feed plants to the cutter bar.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by allowing the operator to pre-configure the reel finger position and orientation before harvesting a specific crop type. This preliminary adjustment ensures the mechanism is optimized for the intended crop before harvesting begins, preventing the adaptability problems that would arise from trying to adjust settings during harvesting operations.
4Productivity
If current corn heads with fixed row spacing are used, then corn harvesting is efficient, but farmers lose flexibility in planting row widths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the cutter bar and reel assembly adjustable in width and configuration. The cutter bar can be adjusted to match different row spacings, and the reel can be reconfigured accordingly. This dynamic adjustability allows the header to maintain harvesting efficiency across various row widths rather than being locked into a fixed configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing the corn head components to handle multiple row spacing configurations. Rather than requiring separate headers for different row widths, the universal design allows a single header to efficiently harvest corn across various planting patterns through adjustable components including the cutter bar width and reel positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A universal crop head assembly is carried at the front of and by a harvester. The new crop head assembly includes a frame assembly, an intermediate multi-crop reel assembly carried by the frame assembly and having selectively extendable and retractable fingers for small grain harvesting. A lower cutter bar assembly is carried by the frame assembly and for cutting grain stalks. An upper forward cutter bar assembly is carried by the frame assembly and supports an upper cutter bar for cutting corn stalks about an upper end, an adjustable air knife assembly for blowing against severed corn stalks upper ends; and a lower draper belt assembly carried by the frame assembly and for moving grain cut by the lower cutter bar assembly.