US 2023/0113995 A1 · HARVESTING HEADER KNIFE DRIVE ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A knife drive assembly for use in a harvesting header may be mounted near the center line of the cutter bar of the header. Mechanical power from the power unit behind the header (typically the combine power output shaft) may be translated for application to two knife assembly sections in the cutter bar at the front of the cutter table. Movement of the two knife assembly sections with this apparatus can be fully synchronized and 180 degrees out of phase, to maximize cutting effectiveness and minimize vibration of the header. The unitary drive assembly may allow for rapid repair and manufacture, and the size and weight of the knife drive assembly may represent a significant weight and balance advantage over the prior art.

Claims45

Dependent claims

A knife drive assembly for a harvesting header configured to move at least one knife in transverse motion, the assembly comprising:

(a) a rotation interface mechanism configured and operable to couple with a rotating output shaft of an external power source to cause rotation of a rotating member;
(b) a first movement conversion mechanism operable to convert the rotation of said rotating member to reciprocating longitudinal movement of at least one longitudinally extending movement member;
(c) a second movement conversion mechanism operable to convert the reciprocating longitudinal movement of the at least one longitudinally extending movement member to transverse reciprocating movement of at least one knife.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Harvesting header knife drive assembly

Life of this patent

Harvesting header knife drive assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims45