Adjustable Sieve Drive Eccentric Mechanism for Combine Harvester
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Solution Overview
Problem
Combine harvesters face durability issues with existing sieve drive systems due to harsh working conditions, as they struggle to adjust sieve movement parameters effectively in response to varying harvesting conditions such as particle size, grain size, moisture content, and terrain angles, leading to inefficiencies in the sieving process.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable sieve drive assembly with an eccentric device that allows for adjustable sieving stroke and throwing angle, utilizing a rotary drive, transmission, and linkage pivots, enabling the sieve movement to be optimized based on real-time harvesting conditions through an adjustable eccentric device and an adjustment module that can be set by the driver or a control algorithm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If linear actuators (cylinders or magnetic actuators) are used to adjust sieve frequency and stroke, then the sieving process can be adapted to harvesting conditions, but the system durability deteriorates in harsh working conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fragile linear actuators (cylinders or magnetic actuators) with a robust mechanical linkage system consisting of an eccentric device, transmission elements, and linkage pivots. This mechanical substitution maintains the ability to adjust sieve stroke and frequency while dramatically improving durability in harsh combine harvester environments through simple, robust mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables adjustment of sieving parameters (stroke length and frequency) through mechanical means. The eccentric device allows variable stroke length by changing the position of the transmission element along the arc path, while the rotary drive frequency controls the sieving rate, providing adaptability without compromising system reliability.
2Device complexity
If the sieve stroke and throwing angle are fixed, then the drive system is simple, but the sieving efficiency deteriorates when harvesting conditions change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed sieve drive into a dynamic system where the transmission element can be positioned at different locations along the arc path of the eccentric device. This allows real-time adjustment of stroke length and throwing angle to match varying harvesting conditions, significantly improving sieving efficiency while maintaining relatively simple mechanical construction.
3Speed
If the sieve moves faster uphill, then grain is thrown out faster, but more grain leaves with material other than grain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic adjustment of sieve movement parameters (stroke length and frequency) to optimize separation quality. By varying the eccentricity position and rotary drive speed, the system can slow the sieve movement when uphill to prevent grain loss, and speed up when downhill to maintain cleaning efficiency, ensuring consistent separation quality across different terrain conditions.
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
The solution provides a robust sieve drive assembly that can adapt to different harvesting conditions, enhancing the sieving process efficiency and durability, ensuring consistent performance even in harsh environments.
Implementation Method 1
The transmission comprises an adjustable eccentric device (21). The adjustable eccentric device has an input that is connected to the rotatable output shaft and an output that is pivotably connected to a transmission element through a linkage pivot
Implementation Method 2
The adjustable eccentric device has an input that is connected to the rotatable output shaft and an output that is pivotably connected to a transmission element through a linkage pivot
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a combine harvester (1), which comprises a sieve (5, 6, 10) that is moveable by a sieve drive assembly (8) to perform a reciprocating sieve movement having a sieving stroke and a sieve throwing angle, wherein the sieve drive assembly comprises: - a rotary drive (11), having a rotatable output shaft (12), - a transmission (20) between the rotatable output shaft of the rotary drive and the sieve, which transmission comprises an eccentric device (21), at least one transmission element (31-34, 40), and a plurality of linkage pivots (50-55), wherein the eccentric device (21) is an adjustable eccentric device (21) in which the eccentricity is adjustable in order to adjust the sieving stroke and/or sieve throwing angle, the eccentric device (21) comprising an input shaft (90), a flange (91), a gear (92), an output shaft (93), an annular gear (94), and an adjustment gear (95).