Windrow Merger Catching Element for Transport Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windrow mergers lack robustness and efficiency in forming windrows, particularly for short and heavy agricultural products, and the catching element's position adjustment is cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A windrow merger with a catching element that moves between active and passive positions, actuated by a hydraulic double-acting cylinder, allowing for efficient windrow formation by intercepting agricultural products and preventing obstruction during transport, with a safety feature to prevent damage from external forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the catching element is placed far from the belt conveyor to create space for windrow formation, then windrow formation efficiency is improved, but the catching element obstructs the rear lights and number plate during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The catching element is made movable between a first position (extended rearwardly) for windrow formation and a second position (retracted) for transport, allowing the system to adapt its configuration based on operational mode. This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction by eliminating the obstruction during transport while maintaining the space needed for windrow formation during operation.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the catching element is folded and kept above the windrow merger in the closed position, then transport obstruction is prevented, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catching element is divided into multiple segments or links that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the catching element to be retracted from its extended position without requiring complex folding mechanisms, as each segment can be positioned independently to achieve the retracted configuration while simplifying the overall mechanism.
3Reliability
If the catching element is made robust to handle short and heavy agricultural products, then windrow formation reliability is improved, but the device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catching element is designed with varying properties along its length, with the front portion (that contacts the agricultural products) being more robust and heavy-duty, while the rear portion and connecting mechanisms being lighter. This local differentiation maintains the reliability needed for handling short and heavy products while minimizing the overall weight increase.
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
Ensures reliable and efficient windrow formation by creating necessary space for windrow formation and preventing obstruction, while providing a safety mechanism to protect the merger from external forces.
Implementation Method 1
actuated by a hydraulic double-acting cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
A windrow merger (1) for collecting agricultural products from a field in an advancing direction (AD) comprises: a front side and a rear side, wherein the front side precedes the rear side in the advancing direction (AD); a frame (2); a pick-up device (3) for picking up the agricultural products; a belt conveyor (4), connected to the frame (2) and configured to receive the agricultural products from the pick-up device and to move them in a conveying direction (C), oriented horizontally and transversal to the advancing direction (AD); a catching element connected to the frame; an actuating device, configured to move the catching element between an active position, wherein the catching element is placed lateral to the conveyor and collaborates with the conveyor for the formation of the windrow, and a passive position, wherein the catching element is placed lateral to and in proximity to the conveyor. The position of the catching element in the passive position is offset with respect to that in the active position with respect to the advancing direction and towards the head.