Auger Platform Shield Floating Connection for Seed Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Auger-type platforms in combine harvesters experience significant seed loss due to the aggressive nature of their tables, with prior solutions like curved shields and the Crop Catcher not providing sufficient coverage or adjustability to effectively block seed ejection.
Innovation Solution
A shield with a wide span and adjustable, floating connection is mounted behind the auger to extend forwardly and downwardly, using flexible members and a seal to block seed ejection, allowing for user-adjustable positioning and flexibility to minimize interference with crop material flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a curved shield is mounted to curve forwardly and downwardly over the auger, then seed ejection is blocked, but the shield structure becomes complex and coverage is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of curving the shield forwardly and downwardly over the auger as in prior art, this invention inverts the approach by positioning the shield vertically behind the auger and extending it forwardly in a straight configuration. The shield's free edge reaches forward of the auger's rotational axis, creating an effective barrier against seed ejection without requiring complex curved structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield is positioned in a vertical plane behind the auger and extends forwardly, utilizing the vertical dimension and depth dimension rather than curving over the top. This dimensional approach provides comprehensive coverage of the ejection path while maintaining a simpler structural configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the shield is fixed in position, then structural simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different operating conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shield is made movable through a floating connection system that allows it to move vertically and adjust its position. The shield can be raised or lowered to adapt to different operating conditions, crop types, and platform configurations, while the floating connection maintains a relatively simple mounting structure without requiring complex actuation mechanisms.
3Loss of substance
If the shield span is extended forwardly past the auger, then seed coverage is improved, but interference with crop material flow may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shield's span is specifically designed to extend forwardly to a precise location just past the vertical plane of the auger's rotational axis. This localized extension provides adequate coverage to intercept ejected seeds while minimizing the shield's forward projection, thereby reducing potential interference with crop material flow to the feed housing.
4Reliability
If a rigid shield connection is used, then structural stability is maintained, but flexibility to float upward when clogged is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the shield and platform is made flexible through a floating connection system that allows the shield to move vertically. This flexible connection enables the shield to float upward when clogged with crop material, preventing jams and maintaining operational reliability, while still providing stable support during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for blocking ejection of crop material from an auger platform of an agricultural harvester features a shield for lying along an axial direction defined by a rotational axis of an auger of the auger platform reaching forwardly over the auger, and a flexible guard attached to the shield to run along the width dimension adjacent the free edge of the shield to hang downward therefrom with the shield in the operational position. A floating connection arranged between the shield and one or more shield mounts attachment the same to the auger platform allow floating of the shield upwardly out of a normal operational position, which is user adjustable. A flexible seal maintains a sealed condition between the shield and the auger platform throughout movement of the shield and in each of several user-selectable operating positions.