Bonus Sieves and Tailings Return for Articulated Combine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional combines face limitations in sieve width due to rear steering tire movement, leading to reduced cleaning capacity, and the inefficiency of tailings return processes, which diminishes grain recovery as the rotor reaches maximum capacity.
Innovation Solution
An articulated combine design with bonus sieves assemblies located at the rear, providing additional separation area and airflow for tailings reprocessing, allowing wider sieves and dedicated fan systems for efficient grain recovery, and a unique tailings return mechanism using dual elevators and centrifugal force for effective particulate separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the sieve width is increased to accommodate high horsepower combine capacity, then the cleaning system capacity is improved, but the rear steering tires cannot clear the wider sieves due to their inward movement during steering and oscillation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the cleaning system from the traditional rear location to the front of the combine, utilizing the front space between the large front tires. This dimensional repositioning allows the sieves to be located where there is sufficient clearance from the front tires, enabling wider sieve design without interference from the oscillating rear steering tires.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by placing the cleaning system at the front rather than the rear of the combine. This reversal allows the cleaning system to benefit from the stable positioning relative to the front tires, which do not oscillate inwardly like the rear steering tires, thereby enabling wider sieves and improved cleaning capacity.
2Productivity
If tailings are returned to the front of the rotor for reprocessing, then grain recovery is improved, but the rotor becomes overloaded beyond its maximum capacity and grain recovery diminishes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the grain recovery process into two distinct locations: primary separation at the front rotor and secondary separation at the rear cleaning system. Tailings are returned to the rear cleaning system rather than the front rotor, allowing the rotor to operate at optimal capacity while the rear system handles the additional processing of recycled material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary tailings return system that transports material from the rear cleaning system back to the front for reprocessing. This intermediary mechanism allows controlled recycling of tailings without directly overloading the rotor, maintaining a balance between grain recovery and rotor capacity.
3Ease of operation
If the sieves are raised higher to accommodate axle oscillation, then tire clearance is improved, but the sieve width must be reduced which decreases cleaning capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the cleaning system to the front of the combine, changing the spatial dimension from rear to front. This repositioning allows the sieves to be placed in an area with sufficient clearance from the front tires, eliminating the need to raise the sieves to accommodate rear axle oscillation and preserving both width and cleaning capacity.
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 design significantly increases sieve capacity and grain recovery by allowing wider sieves and efficient tailings reprocessing, preventing grain loss and improving overall cleaning system performance.
Implementation Method 1
New and separate airflow is provided for the bonus sieves
Implementation Method 2
The bonus sieves tailings are returned to the bonus sieves for rethreshing, optionally after being particulated and air separation performed
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an articulated harvesting combine of a forward power processing unit (PPU) having a forward set of wheel assemblies and a rear grain cart connected by an articulating joint assembly. Bonus sieves assemblies are located in the outer rear of the PPU for accepting grain from concaves and grates assemblies located forward of the bonus sieves assemblies. The bonus sieves assemblies accept tailings from the concaves and grates assemblies for additional separation of grain from material other than grain (MOG). New and separate airflow is provided for the bonus sieves. The bonus sieves tailings are returned to the bonus sieves for rethreshing, optionally after being particulated and air separation performed.