Axial Flow Separator Pre-Separation for Combine Harvester
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Solution Overview
Problem
Combine harvesters with axial flow separation devices face increased load on the cleaning device due to non-grain components like coffee and short straw, which affects the efficiency of the separation process, especially as crop throughput increases.
Innovation Solution
A compressed air source emitting a directed air flow is arranged below the separation device to separate non-grain components from grain before they reach the cleaning device, with a conveyor device transporting the non-grain components away, potentially to a chaff distribution device, thereby reducing the load on the cleaning device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a suction fan is arranged in the ejection area of the separating device to suck out non-grain components, then the load on the cleaning device is reduced, but the suction fan affects the sifting by means of the air flow from the cleaning fan
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the separation process into two distinct stages: first, the separating device performs gravity-based separation of grain from non-grain components; second, a suction device selectively removes non-grain components. This segmentation allows each device to perform its specialized function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between reducing cleaning device load and maintaining sifting efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The suction device acts as an intermediary between the separating device and the cleaning device. It selectively removes non-grain components from the crop stream before the material reaches the cleaning device, thereby reducing the load on the cleaning device while not interfering with the cleaning fan's sifting operation on the grain
2Productivity
If the amount of crop processed by the combine harvester is increased, then the productivity of the combine harvester is improved, but the load on the cleaning device increases due to more coffee and short straw
Solution Approach 1:
The suction device performs preliminary removal of non-grain components before the crop material reaches the cleaning device. This preliminary action reduces the burden on the cleaning device, allowing the system to handle increased crop throughput without proportionally increasing the load on the cleaning device
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a suction device with air flow to remove non-grain components from the crop stream. This pneumatic separation method effectively handles varying amounts of coffee and short straw regardless of crop throughput, preventing the cleaning device from being overwhelmed when processing larger volumes
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 solution effectively pre-separates non-grain components from grain using a directed air flow, reducing the burden on the cleaning device and enhancing the overall efficiency of the combine harvester by minimizing the amount of non-grain components that reach the cleaning device.
Implementation Method 1
a compressed air source emitting a directed air flow is arranged below the separation device, essentially axially parallel to it
Data Source
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AI summary
Combine harvester (1) with a separating device (2) operating according to the axial flow principle for separating components of a crop flow, comprising at least one axial separating rotor (3) and separating baskets (6, 22) surrounding it at least section by section in the circumferential direction, and a cleaning device (19) to which a part of the crop flow separated by the separating device (2) can be fed, wherein a compressed air source (32) delivering a directed air flow is arranged below the separating device (2), substantially parallel to it axially, and at least one conveying device (33) arranged substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the compressed air source (32) is provided.