Chaff Pan Side-Shake Layout for Even Residue Spreading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inconsistent and uneven distribution of chaff residue behind a combine harvester due to asymmetric delivery and intake of chaff, leading to variations in the amount of chaff spread over the field.
Innovation Solution
A combine harvester with a chaff pan mounted to the upper sieve and oscillating in a fore-to-aft manner, combined with a side-to-side oscillation via a chaff pan side shake system, ensuring consistent transport and even distribution of chaff residue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the chaff pan is mounted to the lower sieve to receive chaff from both sieves, then the chaff collection is comprehensive, but the chaff transport consistency deteriorates due to reduced inclination angle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the chaff collection function by mounting the chaff pan to the upper sieve separately, allowing the upper sieve to directly convey chaff to the pan. This segmentation ensures that the chaff transport path is optimized for consistency while still collecting chaff from the cleaning system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mounting position parameter from the lower sieve to the upper sieve, which fundamentally alters the inclination angle parameter of the chaff pan. This parameter change increases the inclination angle, thereby improving chaff transport consistency and reliability.
2Device complexity
If the chaff pan only oscillates in fore-to-aft manner, then the structure is simple, but the lateral distribution of chaff deteriorates due to asymmetric delivery and field inclination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static or single-direction oscillation into a dynamic multi-directional oscillation system. By adding side-to-side oscillation capability to the fore-to-aft oscillation, the chaff pan can actively compensate for asymmetric chaff delivery and field inclination, achieving uniform lateral distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds another dimension of motion to the chaff pan oscillation. Instead of only fore-to-aft oscillation (one dimension), the system now includes side-to-side oscillation (second dimension), creating a two-dimensional oscillation that effectively corrects lateral distribution issues.
3Reliability
If the chaff pan is mounted to the upper sieve, then the chaff transport inclination increases improving consistency, but the chaff collection from both sieves becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The upper sieve serves multiple functions: it performs cleaning separation and simultaneously acts as a mounting support for the chaff pan. This multi-functionality allows the upper sieve to contribute to both grain cleaning and chaff conveyance, simplifying the overall system while maintaining transport consistency.
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
Ensures reliable and consistent transport of chaff residue into the residue spreader, correcting asymmetric distributions and achieving even spread over the field.
Implementation Method 1
The chaff pan side shake system is arranged to oscillate the chaff pan in a side-to-side manner
Implementation Method 2
The cleaning system comprises an upper sieve and a lower sieve for separating chaff from clean grain and is arranged for oscillating in a fore-to-aft manner
Data Source
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AI summary
A combine harvester comprises a cleaning system (26) comprising an upper sieve (48) and a lower sieve (50) for separating chaff from clean grain, the upper sieve (48) and the lower sieve (50) being arranged for oscillating in a fore-to-aft manner. The combine harvester further comprises a residue spreader (74), arranged for receiving separated chaff from the cleaning system (26) and for spreading the separated chaff over a field. The combine harvester further comprises a chaff pan (120), mechanically mounted to the upper sieve (48) for oscillating in a fore-to-aft manner therewith, in a position downstream of the upper sieve (48) and upstream of the residue spreader (74) for conveying the separated chaff from the upper sieve (48) to the residue spreader (74); and a chaff pan side shake system, arranged to oscillate the chaff pan in a side-to-side manner.