Variable Stiffness Curtain for Crop Leaning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutter implements struggle to efficiently cut tall, rigid crops without hindering cutting performance, as they require a stronger bending force to lean the crops forward effectively.
Innovation Solution
A cutter implement with a curtain that includes a stiffness control feature, allowing for variable vertical stiffness that increases with the bend angle of the curtain, effectively controlling the force applied to the crop to achieve optimal leaning and cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a curtain is used to lean crop material forward, then cutting performance is improved, but the curtain requires strong bending force that may over-bend rigid crops
Solution Approach 1:
The curtain's stiffness is made variable rather than fixed. The vertical stiffness increases with the bend angle, allowing the curtain to be compliant at low angles and stiffer at high angles. This dynamic property enables the curtain to effectively lean both flexible and rigid crops without applying excessive force that would cause over-bending.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameter of vertical stiffness is changed as a function of bend angle. By designing the curtain structure (with varying thickness, density, or construction) so that stiffness increases with deflection, the system adapts its mechanical properties to the operating conditions, providing optimal force characteristics for different crop types and bend angles.
2Strength
If vertical stiffness of the curtain is increased to handle rigid crops, then leaning capability is improved, but flexible crops may be damaged by excessive stiffness
Solution Approach 1:
The curtain transitions from a static stiffness structure to a dynamic one where stiffness varies with operational conditions. As the curtain bends to lean flexible crops, the bend angle remains small, keeping the stiffness low and preventing damage. When handling rigid crops requiring larger bend angles, the stiffness naturally increases to provide sufficient leaning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the curtain have different local properties that contribute to the overall variable stiffness characteristic. The curtain may have varying thickness, material density, or construction across its surface, with regions designed to provide appropriate stiffness characteristics at different locations and bend angles.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The cutter implement may include a housing, a cutter, and a curtain. The housing has a forward end for engaging the crop material when moving in a direction of operation. The housing at least partially defines a cutting region disposed at the forward end. The cutter is coupled to the housing and can cut the crop material in the cutting region. The curtain is coupled to the forward end of the housing and is positioned forward of the cutter relative to the direction of operation for engaging and leaning the crop material upstream of the cutter. The curtain includes a stiffness control feature operable to control a vertical stiffness of the curtain to provide a variable vertical stiffness that increases with an increase in a bend angle of the curtain rearward relative to the direction of operation.