Adjustable Convergence Panels for Crop Residue Flow Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing combine harvesters face challenges in efficiently directing crop residue flow for both windrowing and swath spreading due to fixed convergence panels that either block or inadequately handle high volumes of residue, leading to suboptimal flow distribution and quality.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable convergence panel construction with a mechanism that expands the exit opening for windrowing and narrows it for swath spreading, allowing users to control lateral flow concentration or dispersion, featuring pivotable panels and a linkage system for easy adjustment between configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If fixed convergence panels are used to direct crop residue flow, then flow direction control is achieved, but blockages occur when high volumes of residue need to be handled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow direction controlVSAvoidresidue handling capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The convergence panels are made adjustable rather than fixed, allowing the exit opening size to be dynamically changed based on operational requirements. The panels can be positioned at different angles to either narrow the opening for controlled flow direction or expand the opening to increase residue handling capacity, thus resolving the contradiction between flow control and handling capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The geometry of the convergence panels is made variable through adjustment mechanisms that change the angle and position of the panels. This allows the exit opening dimensions to be modified, enabling the system to adapt between narrow configurations for precise flow direction and wide configurations for high-volume residue discharge, eliminating the blockage problem while maintaining directional control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If fixed convergence panels are used to concentrate flow for swath spreading, then flow concentration is improved, but windrowing operations are hindered due to inadequate flow dispersion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow distribution qualityVSAvoidoperational flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The convergence panels are made adjustable rather than fixed, allowing the exit opening size to be dynamically changed based on operational requirements. The panels can be positioned at different angles to either narrow the opening for controlled flow direction or expand the opening to increase residue handling capacity, thus resolving the contradiction between flow control and handling capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustable convergence panel system serves multiple functions: it can be configured for narrow openings to concentrate flow for swath spreading operations, or adjusted to wide openings to disperse flow for windrowing operations. This multi-functionality allows a single system to handle both operational modes effectively, resolving the contradiction between flow concentration quality and operational versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If convergence panels are made adjustable to control flow, then adaptability to different operations is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The convergence panels are made adjustable rather than fixed, allowing the exit opening size to be dynamically changed based on operational requirements. The panels can be positioned at different angles to either narrow the opening for controlled flow direction or expand the opening to increase residue handling capacity, thus resolving the contradiction between flow control and handling capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2008505B1A combine harvester with adjustable convergence panels

Publication Date: 2012.08.15 CNH IND BELGIUM NV

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AI summary

An agricultural combine (20) with a convergence panel construction (100 / 200 / 300) that permits a user to adjust or controllably vary to some extent, depending upon whether windrowing or swath spreading of crop residue is desired, lateral flow concentration or dispersion of the crop residue flow as the crop residue flow is directed towards the rear of the combine (20) and into a distribution chamber (60) for discharge therefrom either through a rear opening (54) for windrowing or into a chopper/spreader (26) for swath spreading, including adjustable convergence panels (101A, 101 B / 301A, 301 B) hingedly attached to the sides (102A, 102B) of the distribution chamber (60) for rotation about the hinged attachments and an adjustment mechanism (118), such as a linkage mechanism (122 / 222) connected to the convergence panels (101A, 101B / 301A, 301B, for adjustably moving such convergence panels about the hinged attachments and a controller mechanism (78) operable by a user to effect the movement of such right and left convergence panels (101A, 101B / 301A, 301B through operation of such adjustment mechanism (118).