Adjustable Combine Concaves for Grain Separation and MOG Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural combines face challenges in efficiently separating grains from materials other than grain (MOG) due to clogging and plugging of concaves, leading to grain loss and reduced efficiency, especially in varying weather conditions and grain types.
Innovation Solution
A retrofit kit with adjustable concaves and separating grates that allow for customizable opening sizes and configurations, including adjustable MOG limiters and unique concave designs, to enhance grain separation and removal efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional fixed concaves are used for threshing, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the concaves become clogged with MOG reducing separation efficiency and causing grain loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the concave structure adjustable rather than fixed. The concaves can be repositioned along the rotor to change opening sizes and configurations based on crop conditions. This dynamic adjustment capability prevents MOG clogging while maintaining structural feasibility through standardized adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by allowing variation in concave opening sizes, spacing, and positions along the rotor. These parameter adjustments enable optimization of grain separation efficiency for different crop types and moisture conditions while preventing MOG accumulation that would reduce productivity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If smaller opening concaves are used to reduce MOG passage, then MOG entry into grain tank is reduced, but grain loss increases due to clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the concave structure into multiple adjustable sections along the rotor. Each section can be independently configured with different opening sizes, allowing the system to optimize MOG restriction in some areas while maintaining grain passage in others, thus preventing both MOG contamination and grain loss simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic adjustability of concave openings allows real-time optimization between MOG restriction and grain passage. When MOG contamination is problematic, openings can be reduced; when clogging occurs, openings can be enlarged to maintain grain flow, resolving the contradiction between these two harmful effects.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed concave configurations are used, then the device is simple to operate, but the combine cannot adapt to varying weather conditions and grain types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing a standardized adjustable concave system that can handle multiple crop types and moisture conditions with a single mechanism. The same adjustable framework serves different functions by changing opening configurations, eliminating the need for multiple fixed concave sets while maintaining ease of operation through unified controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic adjustment capability allows the concaves to adapt to varying operational conditions such as crop moisture content, type, and flow rate. This adaptability is achieved through mechanical or automated adjustment mechanisms that modify opening sizes and positions, providing versatility without significantly increasing operational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A combine for harvesting a harvested material that includes a grain, the combine comprising: a threshing chamber comprising a series of threshing and separating apparatuses, sequentially arranged, comprising at least: (i) a straight bar concave (ii) a first round bar concave, and (iii) a second round bar concave. The size of each of the straight bar throats is smaller than a size of the first openings, and the size of each of the first openings is smaller than the size of each of the second openings.