Asymmetric Side Tables for Beet Cleaning Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing self-propelled loading and cleaning devices for root crops, such as sugar beets, inefficiently distribute soil cleaned from beets, leading to suboptimal cleaning performance due to beets falling directly onto the centerline, resulting in uneven soil distribution and reduced cleaning capacity across the device's width.

Innovation Solution

The side tables of the device are angled at less than 170° to each other, forming a V-shape, allowing beets to fall in two partial streams and be distributed more evenly, increasing the distance they travel and improving cleaning efficiency without increasing the depth or complexity of the side tables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If beets are picked up from the heap by the pick-up devices and transported away by the cross conveyor screws of the side tables to the conveyor and cleaning section, then beets are conveyed to the cleaning section, but the beets fall from the heap towards the beet brine along the centerline of the beet windrow, causing the beets to concentrate in the area of the longitudinal axis of the device and the cleaning capacity in the area of the side tables is not exhausted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning capacityVSAvoidbeet distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The side tables are arranged asymmetrically at an angle of less than 170° to each other instead of being symmetrically aligned at 180°. This asymmetric V-shaped configuration causes beets to fall in two partial streams with lateral movement components, distributing them more evenly across the side tables and utilizing the full cleaning capacity of the device width.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Productivity

If the beets are conveyed outwards on the side tables and then drawn together again towards the conveying and cleaning section, then the cleaning performance is improved and soil is distributed more evenly, but the depth of the side tables and the number of consecutive cross augers must be increased significantly, increasing the complexity and weight of the side tables

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidside table complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The asymmetric V-shaped arrangement of side tables performs the beet distribution action preliminarily, as the beets are already separated into two partial streams when they fall onto the side tables. This preliminary separation eliminates the need for subsequent complex mechanical actions to distribute beets evenly, maintaining simple side table construction while achieving improved cleaning performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the front edges of the side tables are arranged at a horizontal angle of less than 170° to one another, then beets are distributed more evenly over the width of the heap covered by the receiving device and travel longer distances over the side tables, but the side tables must be positioned in a V-shape configuration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidside table arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The side tables are arranged asymmetrically at an angle of less than 170° to each other instead of being symmetrically aligned at 180°. This asymmetric V-shaped configuration causes beets to fall in two partial streams with lateral movement components, distributing them more evenly across the side tables and utilizing the full cleaning capacity of the device width.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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

This configuration enhances cleaning performance and evenly distributes the soil cleaned from beets across the device's working width, ensuring better beet coverage and reduced soil concentration along the centerline, thereby improving the overall cleaning effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

the beets fall in two partial streams and be distributed more evenly, increasing the distance they travel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

Each of the side tables has a cammed pickup roller or fingered pickup belt, an octagonal roller meshing with the cams or fingers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2088848B1Self-propelled loading and cleaning device for root crops, especially for sugar beet
Publication Date: 2010.09.15 FRANZ KLEINE VERTRIEBS & ENGINEERING GMBH
  • EP2088848B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2088848B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a self-propelled loading and cleaning device for root crops, especially for sugar beet. Said device comprises a pick-up device (1), mounted in front in the direction of travel (8), for picking up the root crops from the ground (5) and for pre-cleaning and collecting the root crops to a conveying and cleaning line (26), which is mounted behind the pick-up device (1) when seen in the direction of travel (8), the pick-up device (1) comprising two lateral benches (6) from parallel rollers (15, 17 to 21) that are rotatingly driven, said benches projecting laterally when in operation. The invention is characterized in that the front edges (9) of the lateral benches (6) are positioned at a horizontal angle (10) of less than 170° relative each other in at least one operating position.