Vertical-Shaft Stalk Cutting Assembly for In-Field Chopping

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural harvesters require a separate mowing operation to chop plant stalks after harvesting, which reduces efficiency and increases fuel and operator time.

Innovation Solution

A stalk cutting assembly with non-rotatably coupled discs along a vertical shaft, driven to rotate and engage plant stalks to cut them into sections as the harvester traverses the field, eliminating the need for a subsequent mowing operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a separate mowing operation is used to chop plant stalks after harvesting, then the harvesting process can be completed, but additional fuel usage and operator time are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharvesting efficiencyVSAvoidoperator time and equipment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The stalk cutting assembly integrates a shaft with multiple discs distributed along it, where the shaft rotates to drive the discs to cut plant stalks into multiple sections during the harvesting operation, eliminating the need for a separate mowing operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The stalk cutting assembly performs the cutting action on plant stalks during the harvesting process itself, before the stalks would otherwise remain in the field, by engaging and cutting the stalks as the harvester moves through the crop

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If a separate mowing operation is used to chop plant stalks after harvesting, then the harvesting process can be completed, but additional fuel usage is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharvesting efficiencyVSAvoidfuel usage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The stalk cutting assembly integrates a shaft with multiple discs distributed along it, where the shaft rotates to drive the discs to cut plant stalks into multiple sections during the harvesting operation, eliminating the need for a separate mowing operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The harvester is equipped with both harvesting functionality through rotors with spindles and stalk cutting functionality through the disc assembly, allowing one machine to perform multiple operations that previously required separate equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If stalks are left uncut after harvesting, then the harvesting operation is simpler, but subsequent agricultural operations are affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharvesting operation complexityVSAvoidcompatibility with subsequent agricultural operations

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The stalk cutting assembly integrates a shaft with multiple discs distributed along it, where the shaft rotates to drive the discs to cut plant stalks into multiple sections during the harvesting operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The stalk cutting assembly performs the cutting action on plant stalks during the harvesting process itself, preparing the stalks for subsequent agricultural operations by cutting them into manageable sections before the harvester leaves the field

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250331458A1Stalk cutting assembly for an agricultural harvester row unit

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC

AI summary

A stalk cutting assembly for a row unit of an agricultural harvester includes a shaft configured to extend generally along a vertical axis of the row unit. The stalk cutting assembly also includes a set of discs distributed along the shaft. Each disc of the set of discs is non-rotatably coupled to the shaft, and the shaft is configured to rotate to drive the set of discs to rotate. Furthermore, the set of discs is configured to engage a plant stalk to cut the plant stalk into multiple sections.