Windrow Merger Guiding Structure for Uneven Terrain Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior windrow mergers lack robustness, are prone to twisting or inclining, and have a high risk of faults or breakages, especially when moving quickly over uneven terrain, and are not practical for transportation.
Innovation Solution
A windrow merger design featuring a crosspiece with uprights, a pick-up device, conveyor, guiding device, and an actuating structure with a rotating support structure and hydraulic system that allows precise and stable movement of the guiding device, reducing oscillations and enhancing robustness, and facilitating efficient lifting and lowering for transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the guiding device is made rigid and fixed, then structural strength is improved, but the risk of twisting and breakage increases when moving over uneven terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding device is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to adapt dynamically to uneven terrain. The support structure enables the guiding device to move between a lowered working position and a raised transport position, preventing twisting and breakage while maintaining structural integrity during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The position and orientation of the guiding device are changed as needed. During operation, the guiding device is in a lowered position for product guidance, while during transport it is raised to a different position, allowing the same structure to serve multiple functions and reduce stress.
2Reliability
If the guiding device is made movable to reduce breakage risk, then reliability is improved, but structural robustness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple articulated components (first support member, second support member, third support member) that work together. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for both strength and mobility, with the entire assembly providing robust support while maintaining movement capability.
3Manufacturing precision
If the guiding device is positioned low for product collection, then handling precision is improved, but transportation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding device transitions between a lowered position during operation for precise product guidance and collection, and a raised position during transport for efficiency. This dynamic repositioning allows the same structure to optimize for different operational phases.
4Productivity
If the windrow merger is designed for quick movement, then productivity is improved, but the risk of twisting and breakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding device and support structure are designed to be dynamic rather than rigid, allowing them to adapt to terrain variations and operational demands. This enables the windrow merger to move quickly while the flexible support system absorbs shocks and prevents twisting and breakage.
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a windrow merger for collecting agricultural products from a field comprising: a frame; a pick-up device; a conveyor; a guiding device; a support structure, equipped with arms connected to the guiding device and articulated to the frame to rotate relative to the frame about an axis of oscillation, comprising a rod rotating relative to the frame about an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of oscillation and connected to the arms by bars, in such a way that a rotation of the rod about the axis of rotation is linked to a rotation of the support structure about the axis of oscillation; an actuator is connected to the frame and to the rod, so that a position of the actuator is kinetically linked to the angular position of the rod about the axis of rotation for managing the position of the guiding device.