Variable-Diameter Reel for Crop Header Cutter-Bar Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crop harvesting headers face inefficiencies due to reel fingers inadvertently contacting the cutter bar when side wing sections pivot or the cutter bar flexes, necessitating heavier and costlier solutions to maintain optimal harvesting efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A variable diameter reel with actuation linkages that adjust the radial distance of reel bats relative to the reel axis, allowing independent control of reel diameter along its length to maintain a consistent distance from the cutter bar, using sensors and actuators to respond to terrain changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the reel fingers are positioned as close to the cutter bar as possible, then harvesting efficiency is improved, but the risk of inadvertent contact between reel fingers and cutter bar increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reel diameter is made variable along its length, with different radial distances from the reel axis at different axial positions. This allows the reel to dynamically adapt its geometry to maintain optimal finger-to-cutter-bar clearance while maximizing harvesting efficiency. The actuation linkage enables independent adjustment of reel bat radial positions to prevent harmful contacts.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the reel have different radial distances from the reel axis. The reel bats at different axial locations can be positioned at different radial distances, allowing local optimization of the clearance between reel fingers and cutter bar at each position along the reel length.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the reel is raised or lowered to control position, then contact with cutter bar is prevented, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the entire reel vertically, the invention makes the reel diameter variable by adjusting the radial distance of reel bats from the reel axis. This local geometric adjustment prevents contact without requiring complex vertical positioning mechanisms for the entire reel assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The reel structure allows local adjustment of radial distance at different axial positions through actuation linkages. This enables selective modification of reel geometry to prevent contact at specific locations without affecting the entire reel structure, reducing overall system complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple reels are provided, then control over cutter bar interaction is improved, but weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single reel is made dynamically adjustable with variable diameter through actuation linkages that can change the radial distance of reel bats. This dynamic adjustment capability provides the same contact-control functionality as multiple fixed reels, but with significantly reduced weight and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The reel's geometric parameters (radial distance, diameter) are made changeable through actuation linkages. By changing these parameters dynamically, a single reel can provide the same level of control as multiple fixed reels, reducing the overall weight and cost of the harvesting header.
Data Source
AI summary
A reel of a harvester including a cutter bar includes a plurality of reel bats which are pivotal so as to vary the angle of the fingers about the bat axis as the reel rotates. The reel is used with a cutter bar which can change in height at one or more positions along its length to accommodate changes in ground height and contour. In order to maintain the fingers of the reel as close as possible to the cutter bar for best crop control, there is provided a sensor at each of one or more positions along the cutter bar responsive to the cutter bar height and an actuator which changes the diameter of the reel bats at the respective position.