Adjustable Louver Sieve with Top-Mounted Pivot Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural harvesters face difficulties in conveniently and efficiently adjusting the aperture size of sieves in their cleaning systems, as the adjustment mechanisms are often hard to access and time-consuming to operate.
Innovation Solution
A sieve with a pivotable adjustment arm and a displaceable locking pin, coupled to an adjustment bar, allows for easy adjustment of aperture size through a shaft that can be accessed from the top side, enabling users to pivot the adjustment arm and change the locking pin position from a locking to an adjustment position using a wrench or tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional adjustment mechanism is used for the sieve, then the aperture size can be adjusted, but the adjustment mechanism is difficult to access and time-consuming to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is moved from a difficult-to-access location to the top side of the sieve, changing the spatial dimension of access. The shaft extends through the top side of the sieve, allowing operators to adjust aperture size from above rather than having to access the bottom or side of the sieve, significantly improving ease of operation and reducing adjustment time
2Device complexity
If a simple adjustment mechanism is used, then the structure is simpler, but the adjustment may not be secure or stable
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism uses a dynamic locking system where the locking pin can be easily inserted or removed from the locking hole. The spring-loaded pin automatically engages with the locking hole to secure the adjustment bar in place, providing both simplicity and reliability. The pin can be quickly disengaged by applying force to the shaft, allowing for easy re-adjustment when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded locking pin automatically engages with the locking hole to secure the adjustment bar in the desired position. The mechanism self-locks without requiring additional fastening steps, maintaining both simplicity and stability. The spring ensures continuous contact and secure engagement while allowing quick release when force is applied
Data Source
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AI summary
A sieve (142) for a cleaning system (140) of an agricultural harvester (100) includes a sieve frame (201) defining a top side (204); a plurality of adjustable louvers (202) carried by the sieve frame (201) and defining a plurality of apertures (203); and at least one adjustment bar (310) coupled to the plurality of adjustable louvers (202) such that displacement of the at least one adjustment bar (310) changes a size of at least some of the plurality of apertures (203). The sieve (142) also includes an adjustment assembly (220) including an adjustment arm (221) coupled to the at least one adjustment bar (310) and pivotable relative to the sieve frame (201) such that pivoting of the adjustment arm (221) about a pivot axis (PA) displaces the at least one adjustment bar (310). The adjustment arm (221) carries a locking pin (324) that is displaceable between a locking position where the adjustment arm (221) is not freely pivotable about the pivot axis (PA) and an adjustment position where the adjustment arm (221) is freely pivotable about the pivot axis (PA). A shaft (340, 640) is disposed on the top side (204) and coupled to the adjustment arm (221). The shaft (340, 640) is displaceable such that displacement of the shaft (340, 640) from a first position to a second position causes a corresponding displacement of the locking pin (324) from the locking position to the adjustment position.