Adjustable Guide Element for Combine Harvester Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-drum threshing and separating devices experience reduced separation performance due to the formation of a dense mat of broken straw when processing very dry crops, leading to reduced grain separation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The guide and separating element is designed to be adjustable, allowing for flexible crop guidance, with the last section's angle varying based on crop moisture to minimize deflection at the straw turning drum, and the separation drum features tines inclined backward to prevent straw wrapping and clogging, ensuring gentle treatment and effective separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the guide and separating element is fixed in position, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but broken straw forms densely when processing dry crops, reducing separation performance
Solution Approach 1:
The guide and separating element is made adjustable relative to the straw turning drum, allowing dynamic adaptation to different crop conditions. This enables the system to optimize the conveying gap and crop flow path based on crop moisture content, preventing broken straw mat formation in dry crops while maintaining effective separation in moist crops.
Solution Approach 2:
The position and angle of the guide and separating element can be changed to optimize crop flow characteristics. By adjusting parameters such as the gap distance and angular orientation, the system adapts to varying crop conditions, preventing harmful broken straw accumulation while maintaining separation efficiency.
2Productivity
If the last section of the guide and separating element is fixed at a steep angle, then crop deflection is maximized for better separation, but this causes excessive straw breaking in dry crops
Solution Approach 1:
The angle and position of the last section of the guide and separating element are made dynamically adjustable. This allows optimization of the deflection angle based on crop moisture content, achieving sufficient crop guidance for effective separation while reducing excessive deflection that causes straw breaking in dry conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the angular parameter of the guide and separating element's last section, the system optimizes the balance between crop deflection for separation and gentle handling to prevent breaking. The adjustable angle allows adaptation to different crop states.
3Reliability
If the separating drum has vertical tines, then the structure is simple, but straw wraps around the drum causing clogging and reduced separation
Solution Approach 1:
The tines on the separating drum are configured with an asymmetric inclination angle rather than being vertically aligned. This asymmetric design prevents straw from wrapping around the drum by directing it smoothly along the drum surface, eliminating clogging while maintaining structural simplicity.
4Loss of substance
If a dense mat of broken straw forms on the horde shaker, then the structure remains intact, but grain separation is blocked and grain loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable guide and separating element and inclined tines work together to prevent broken straw mat formation in the first place. By optimizing crop flow and reducing straw breaking through proper angular configuration, the system prevents the harmful condition that would block grain separation and cause grain loss.
Data Source
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AI summary
A combine harvester with a threshing and separating unit designed as a multi-drum arrangement consists of at least one threshing drum (1) interacting with a threshing and separating concave (2), a separating drum (4) directly or indirectly downstream of this drum in the conveying direction, and a straw turning drum (13) following this separating drum. The separating drum (4) interacts with a guide and separating element (5), and the straw turning drum (13) is arranged above the separating drum (4) and offset from it horizontally. Furthermore, the combine harvester has a downstream separating unit following the straw turning drum (13).To prevent straw breakage in very dry straw, the guide and separating element (5) shall have a first subsection (9) extending essentially below the separating drum (4) in a nearly concentric or tangential manner and at a distance from it, to which at least one further subsection (10) is connected in the conveying direction. At least one subsection (10) adjacent to the straw turning drum (13) shall be adjustable about a horizontal pivot axis.