Combine Harvester Drive Device Side Wall Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing combine harvester drive systems require increased production costs and larger installation space due to separate belt drives for the separating rotors and straw chopper, and the straw chopper experiences an unfavorably long run-on time when switched off.

Innovation Solution

The drive device for the separating rotors and straw chopper is integrated on a side wall, sharing belt drives and eliminating additional shafts and pulleys, allowing simultaneous switching off and reducing the straw chopper's run-on time by utilizing the mass moments of inertia and speed difference between the two components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate belt drives are used for the separating rotors and straw chopper, then each component can be driven independently, but the installation space requirement increases and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent drive capabilityVSAvoidinstallation space on side wall
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the drive systems for the separating rotors and straw chopper into a single integrated belt drive arrangement on one side wall, eliminating the need for separate drives on opposite sides. This merging reduces the total installation space while maintaining the ability to independently control each component through separate clutches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate belt drives are used for the separating rotors and straw chopper, then each component can be driven independently, but production costs increase due to additional shafts, belt pulleys and V-belts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent drive capabilityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the drive systems into a single integrated arrangement, eliminating redundant components such as additional shafts, belt pulleys, and V-belts that would be required for completely separate drives. This reduces manufacturing complexity and production costs while maintaining independent control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated belt drive system serves multiple functions: it can drive the separating rotors, drive the straw chopper, or drive both simultaneously through the use of clutches. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for completely separate drive systems, reducing component count and production costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the straw chopper is switched off separately, then it can be stopped independently, but the run-on time becomes unfavorably long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent switching capabilityVSAvoidstraw chopper run-on time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the straw chopper and separating rotors on the same drive system, allowing the separating rotors to continue operating and provide mechanical resistance that quickly decelerates the straw chopper when its clutch is disengaged. This eliminates the long run-on time associated with completely independent drives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The separating rotors act as an intermediary mechanism that provides mechanical resistance to the straw chopper through their shared drive connection. When the straw chopper clutch is disengaged, the separating rotors continue to rotate and provide drag that quickly slows down the straw chopper, reducing run-on time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration achieves a space-saving, cost-effective design with reduced construction work and shorter straw chopper run-on time by decelerating it through the separating rotors, optimizing the use of space and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the sum of the mass moments of inertia of the separating rotors is greater than that of the straw chopper

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInertia: Inertia

Data Source

PatentEP1905291B1Drive device for a combine harvester
Publication Date: 2010.12.22 CLAAS SELBSTFAHRENDE ERNTEMASCHINEN GMBH
  • EP1905291B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1905291B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The device has multiple cutting rotors (5) arranged longitudinally to a driving direction, and a straw chopper (6) arranged transverse to the driving direction below a disposal region of the cutting rotors. A detachable continuously variable transmission i.e. belt drives (25, 29, 35), is provided for the transmission of the device, where the cutting rotors and the straw chopper are driven together by the continuously variable transmission. The continuously variable transmission is arranged at a sidewall of a combine harvester.