Windrower Header Floatation with Dual Accumulators for Cutter Heads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural machines with header linkage systems face challenges in accommodating different cutter head styles and sizes, as rotary and draper style cutter heads require distinct floatation responses to maintain optimal cutting performance across varying crop materials.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic system with dual accumulators and control valves adjusts the floatation response of the header linkage system based on the attached cutter head, providing separate floatation speeds for rotary and draper styles by controlling fluid communication through accumulators and valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the header linkage system uses a single floatation response setting, then the system structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate different cutter head styles (rotary vs draper) with different operational requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different floatation response characteristics by selecting different accumulators based on the cutter head style. The controller activates either the first accumulator (for rotary cutters requiring fast response) or the second accumulator (for draper cutters requiring slow response), making the system adaptable without requiring completely different mechanical linkages.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the flotation response parameter by varying the accumulator selection. Different accumulators provide different spring rates and response characteristics, allowing the same header linkage system to exhibit different flotation behaviors tailored to specific cutter head requirements without structural modification.
2Speed
If the header linkage system uses a fast floatation response, then rotary style cutter heads can quickly track ground surface, but draper style cutter heads will dig into the ground surface due to excessive speed
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different flotation response characteristics to different cutter head types. By selecting the appropriate accumulator based on the attached cutter head style, the system provides fast response for rotary cutters and slow response for draper cutters, optimizing performance for each specific application rather than using a universal setting.
3Reliability
If the header linkage system uses a slow floatation response, then draper style cutter heads move controlled rate avoiding plugging, but rotary style cutter heads cannot quickly maintain ground contact
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the flotation response speed based on the cutter head type. The controller selects between different accumulators to provide slow, plugging-preventive response for draper cutters and fast, efficiency-optimizing response for rotary cutters, thereby maintaining high productivity across different operating conditions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the header linkage system allows vertical movement to track ground surface, then cutting performance is maintained, but the system cannot provide fixed height positioning for certain operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The header linkage system is designed to perform multiple functions through a single unified structure. It can operate in float mode with vertical movement for ground tracking, and the system includes mechanisms to provide fixed height positioning when needed. The universal design allows the same system to handle both cutting operations requiring ground contact and operations requiring stable fixed positioning.
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 system ensures precise ground tracking and reduces plugging issues by optimizing floatation speed according to the cutter head type, enhancing cutting efficiency and adaptability across different crop conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A first rod side accumulator is in fluid communication with the rod side fluid port of the float cylinder. A second rod side accumulator is in fluid communication with the rod side fluid port of the float cylinder.
Implementation Method 2
a pressure source in fluid communication with the tank. The pressure source is operable to receive fluid from the tank and circulate the fluid through the fluid circuit.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
An agricultural machine includes a float cylinder interconnecting a header linkage system and a frame of the machine. A first rod side accumulator and a second rod side accumulator are both in fluid communication with a rod side fluid port of the float cylinder. A first accumulator control valve is positioned to control the first rod side accumulator, and is selectively controllable between an open position allowing fluid communication between the first rod side accumulator and the rod side fluid port of the float cylinder, and closed position blocking fluid communication between the first rod side accumulator and the rod side fluid port of the float cylinder. The system provides a slower first float response with the first accumulator control valve open, and a faster second float response with the first accumulator control valve closed.