Adjustable Guide Elements for Crop Residue Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current combine harvesters face issues with straw swath deposition, where waste is often deposited under or within the straw swath, leading to damp bales and potential mold, due to limitations in guide element positioning during swath deposit mode.
Innovation Solution
A crop residue chopping and distribution arrangement with continuously adjustable guide elements driven by a transmission system, allowing for optimal lateral deflection and distribution, including a mode to deposit waste sideways next to the swath, utilizing a transmission with an adjustable ratio to control the amplitude of guide element movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If guide elements are fixed in position during swath deposit mode, then the structure is simple, but waste is deposited under or in the straw swath causing damp bales and mold
Solution Approach 1:
The guide elements are made dynamically adjustable through a positioning system that allows them to be moved between different positions. The system includes a guide element holder that can be positioned in multiple locations, allowing the guide elements to be adjusted to deposit waste sideways next to the swath rather than under it, thereby improving straw bale quality while maintaining manageable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The guide elements serve multiple functions: they can be positioned to deposit waste sideways next to the swath in swath deposit mode, or positioned differently in chopping mode. The adjustable positioning system allows the same guide element structure to fulfill different deposition requirements, eliminating the need for separate fixed structures for different modes
2Reliability
If guide elements oscillate with large amplitude, then waste distribution is improved, but waste may be deposited in the swath center during swath deposit mode
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillation amplitude of the guide elements is made adjustable rather than fixed. The positioning system allows the amplitude to be varied depending on the operating mode: larger amplitudes can be used in chopping mode for better waste distribution, while smaller amplitudes or different positioning can be used in swath deposit mode to prevent waste from being deposited in the swath center
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillation parameters (amplitude and frequency) of the guide elements are made variable through the positioning system. This allows optimization of waste distribution by adjusting the oscillation characteristics according to the specific operational requirements, whether for chopping mode or swath deposit mode
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 even distribution of crop residues over the field, preventing waste from being deposited in the swath center, resulting in drier straw bales and improved harvesting efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the guide elements, which are articulated at their front ends so that they can pivot about the vertical axis, are connected to one another in their rear area by a coupling rod and a connecting rod connects a pin connected to one of the guide elements to a drive wheel that can be rotated by the drive, on which the connecting rod is eccentric relative to the Pivot
Data Source
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AI summary
The harvested goods remnant shredding and distribution assembly has a straw shredder (60) and guide elements downstream of the straw shredder. A gearbox with an adjustable transmission ratio is arranged between a drive and guide elements. The gearbox is formed such that it brings the guide elements in a position, which guides the maximum harvested goods remnant outwards, at a minimal transmission ratio. Two throwing blowers, which are laterally arranged next to each other, are provided downstream of the straw shredder.