Canvas-Rubber Auger Cover Hinge for Grain Loss Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing auger covers for grain bin loading augers in combine harvesters either suffer from grain ejection losses due to inadequate gap control between the cover and the auger tube, leading to back-pressure issues, or experience mechanical failures like grain entrapment and inability to return to the initial position in hinged designs.
Innovation Solution
A cover plate hingedly attached to the auger conveyor using a flexible and resilient canvas hinge plate with a vulcanized rubber coating, which allows for controlled grain ejection direction and automatic return to the original position without grain entrapment, utilizing a thickness range of 4 mm to 10 mm, preferably 6 mm to 8 mm, to balance flexibility and resilience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a fixed sheet metal auger cover is used to control grain ejection, then grain ejection losses are reduced, but back-pressure on the auger screw increases due to the small gap required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from a fixed sheet metal cover to a flexible cover that can dynamically adjust its position. The flexible cover bends and deforms under grain pressure, automatically regulating the gap between the cover and auger tube. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain both grain containment and adequate clearance, resolving the contradiction between reducing grain ejection losses and minimizing back-pressure on the auger screw.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the physical state of the cover material from rigid to flexible. This material parameter change enables the cover to adapt its shape and gap dimensions in response to varying grain pressure conditions, simultaneously achieving effective grain containment while maintaining sufficient clearance to prevent excessive back-pressure on the auger screw.
2Ease of operation
If a pivoted cover with hinging mechanism is used to control grain ejection, then grain direction is constrained, but grain entrapment occurs in the hinging mechanism preventing return to initial position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing the complex hinging mechanism from the cover design. By eliminating the hinges and brackets that caused grain entrapment, the invention simplifies the structure while maintaining grain direction control through the flexible material's inherent properties. The cover can still constrain grain ejection directions through its flexible deformation, without the reliability issues of mechanical hinging components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing the mechanical hinging system with a flexible material-based system. Instead of using brackets and hinges that are prone to grain entrapment, the invention uses the elastic properties of flexible material to achieve the same grain direction control function, thereby eliminating the reliability problems associated with mechanical hinging components.
3Loss of substance
If the gap between cover and auger tube is made small to control grain ejection, then grain losses are reduced, but torque demand on the auger screw increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using a flexible cover that automatically adjusts the gap size in response to grain pressure. When grain pressure is high, the flexible cover bends to increase the gap, reducing back-pressure and torque demand. When grain pressure is low, the gap naturally closes to minimize grain ejection losses. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between grain containment and power consumption.
4Loss of substance
If a thick rigid cover is used to prevent grain ejection, then grain containment is improved, but the cover cannot adapt to grain level changes and may interfere with grain bin extensions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by replacing rigid covers with flexible material that can adapt to varying grain levels. The flexible cover bends and deforms as grain accumulates, automatically adjusting its position to maintain effective grain containment while preventing interference with grain bin extensions. This dynamic behavior provides adaptability across different operating conditions without sacrificing grain containment effectiveness.
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 effectively prevents grain ejection losses by controlling grain direction and ensuring the cover plate returns to its original position, even when the grain bin is empty, without mechanical failures, maintaining efficient auger operation.
Implementation Method 1
a hinge comprising a hinge plate of flexible material
Implementation Method 2
which allows for controlled grain ejection direction and automatic return to the original position
Data Source
AI summary
An auger cover for an auger conveyor for a grain bin of a combine harvester includes a cover plate that is hingedly attached to the auger conveyor. The hinge attaching the cover plate to the auger conveyor has a hinge plate that includes a flexible material.