Chaff and Straw Spreader With Remote Airflow Confluence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crop residue spreaders on combine harvesters struggle to uniformly distribute residue across the full cut width of the combine, leading to uneven residue distribution and interference with subsequent field operations.
Innovation Solution
A residue spreading system that combines chaff and straw airflow streams from separate paths, with counter-rotating blowers and throwers, merging at a distance from the harvester to create a chaotic, randomized distribution of residue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If chaff and straw are processed through a single chopper and spread together, then the spreading operation is simplified, but knife wear increases and distribution uniformity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the residue processing into two separate streams: chaff from the cleaning system and straw from the chopper. Each stream is processed independently through its own spreader system, allowing optimized handling for each material type while maintaining overall system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The chaff spreader system and straw spreader system are merged at the confluence point where their airflow streams combine. This merging occurs at a distance from the harvester (at least 2 meters, preferably 5 meters), allowing each stream to maintain its characteristics while achieving uniform combined distribution
2Speed
If chaff airflow stream velocity is increased to improve distribution, then chaff spreading distance increases, but straw distribution uniformity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different velocity characteristics to different streams: the chaff airflow stream has higher velocity for extended range, while the straw airflow stream has lower velocity for controlled distribution. Each stream's velocity is optimized for its specific material properties
Solution Approach 2:
The separate spreader systems act as intermediaries that condition each airflow stream independently before confluence. The chaff blower and straw thrower each create optimized flow patterns that merge at the confluence point, allowing velocity differentiation without compromising overall uniformity
3Productivity
If residue is spread closer to the harvester, then spreading efficiency increases, but distribution uniformity and randomness decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary separation of chaff and straw into distinct airflow streams before spreading. This preliminary action allows each material to be conditioned and directed independently, creating the foundation for randomized distribution at the confluence point located at least 2 meters from the harvester
Solution Approach 2:
The system extends the spreading operation into the spatial dimension by locating the confluence point at a distance from the harvester. This dimensional extension allows airflow streams to merge and randomize in three-dimensional space, improving distribution uniformity while maintaining efficiency
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
Enhances residue spreading characteristics, reduces knife wear, and ensures even distribution of crop residue, minimizing interference with seeding and tilling operations.
Implementation Method 1
The chaff spreader system is configured to emit a chaff airflow stream in a first flow path
Implementation Method 2
The straw spreader system is configured to emit a straw airflow stream in a second flow path
Implementation Method 3
The first flow path and the second flow path intersect at a place of confluence apart from the chaff spreader system and the straw spreader system... the chaff spreader system and the straw spreader system are configured so that the place of confluence is at a side of and at least 2, preferably 5, meters away from the harvester
Data Source
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AI summary
A spreader system (150) for use in an agricultural harvester (10) having a threshing system (24) and a cleaning system (26). The spreader system (150) includes a chopper (152) for the chopping of straw from the threshing system and a chaff spreader system (154) and a straw spreader system (156). The chaff spreader system (154) is configured to receive a flow of chaff (C) from the cleaning system (26); and the straw spreader system (156) is configured to receive a flow of straw (S) from the chopper (152). The chaff spreader system (154) is configured to emit a chaff airflow stream (CAS) in a first flow path (FP1), and the straw spreader system (156) is configured to emit a straw airflow stream (SAS) in a second flow path (FP2). The first flow path (FP1) and the second flow path (FP2) intersect at a place of confluence (CON) apart from the chaff spreader system (154) and the straw spreader system (156).