Windguard Adjustment Mechanism for Agricultural Pick-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional windguard adjustment mechanisms in agricultural machines are cumbersome, limited in adjustability, and prone to mechanical issues such as chain damage and safety hazards, requiring bimanual operation and offering discrete adjustment points.
Innovation Solution
A pick-up assembly with a flexible elongate element and winch drum system, featuring a shock attenuating coupling and a crank with latch mechanism, allowing continuous and ergonomic adjustment of the windguard position, including remote control options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a chain suspension arrangement is used to adjust windguard position, then the windguard can be positioned at discrete points, but the adjustment operation becomes bimanual and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual chain suspension arrangement with a hydraulic actuator system. The hydraulic actuator automatically adjusts the windguard position based on crop material flow conditions, eliminating the need for manual bimanual operation of chains and hooks. This substitution of mechanical manual adjustment with automated hydraulic control directly resolves the contradiction between adaptability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The windguard adjustment system is designed to automatically respond to crop material flow conditions without requiring operator intervention. The hydraulic actuator self-adjusts the windguard position based on feedback from the crop flow, making the system self-serving and eliminating the time-consuming manual adjustment process while maintaining adaptability to varying conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a chain suspension arrangement is used for windguard adjustment, then discrete position points are achieved, but continuous adjustment is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic actuator system replaces the discrete chain-link adjustment mechanism with a continuous hydraulic control system. This allows the windguard to be positioned at any point within the adjustment range rather than being limited to discrete positions determined by chain link sizes, thereby achieving continuous adjustment while simplifying the overall control mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the adjustment parameter from discrete chain link positions to continuous hydraulic cylinder extension length. This parameter change enables smooth, continuous adjustment of the windguard position rather than step-wise adjustment, providing finer control and better adaptability to varying crop conditions.
3Ease of operation
If a chain suspension arrangement is used to support the windguard, then the windguard can be adjusted, but loose chain ends may block the windguard or cause mechanical damage
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic actuator system replaces the chain suspension arrangement entirely. The hydraulic cylinder and rod provide a solid, enclosed connection between the windguard support arms and the frame, eliminating loose chain ends that could block the windguard or cause mechanical damage. This substitution maintains adjustability while significantly improving reliability and reducing damage risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic fluid acts as an intermediary medium within a closed system, transmitting force from the hydraulic pump to the windguard adjustment mechanism. This enclosed hydraulic system prevents loose ends or protruding components from interfering with windguard operation, unlike the open chain system where loose ends could cause blocking or damage.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional chain adjustment mechanisms are used, then windguard positioning is possible, but safety hazards exist from chain breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic actuator system replaces the chain suspension mechanism, eliminating the risk of chain breakage and associated safety hazards. The hydraulic system provides a more robust and reliable connection that cannot fragment like chain links, thereby maintaining windguard position control capability while removing the harmful factor of chain breakage safety risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potential harm of chain breakage into a benefit by using a hydraulic system that is inherently more reliable and cannot suffer from chain fragmentation. The hydraulic system's sealed design and continuous fluid pressure provide a safety advantage, turning the weakness of the chain system into a strength of the hydraulic system.
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 provides a robust, cost-efficient, and low-maintenance mechanism for windguard adjustment, enabling comfortable and continuous positioning with reduced risk of mechanical damage and improved operator safety.
Implementation Method 1
a shock attenuating coupling for attaching said first end region of the at least one flexible elongate element to the support linkage
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention pertains to a pick-up assembly (10) for an agricultural machine (100). The pick- up assembly comprises a pick-up drum (12), rotatably mounted to a frame (16); a windguard (18),attached to a support linkage (19) which is pivotably mounted to the frame (16);at least one winch drum (30), rotatably attached with respect to the frame; and at least one flexible elongate element (31) having opposite first (32) and second (33) end regions. The first end region (32) is attached to the support linkage (19) and the second end region (33) is windably attached to the at least one winch drum (30).