Combine Harvester Inlet Head for Smooth Crop Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transfer of crop from the threshing unit to the separator in combine harvesters is critical due to potential blockages and disruptions in the crop flow, which negatively impact processing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A self-propelled combine harvester design featuring a movable threshing concave with a crop flow divider and guide aid that ensures uniform distribution of crop material between separating rotors, utilizing a crop guide aid integrated with the threshing concave to facilitate smooth transfer and minimize blockages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed threshing concave is used, then the structure is simple, but the threshing gap cannot be adjusted for different crop conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The threshing concave is made movable relative to the threshing drum, allowing dynamic adjustment of the threshing gap thickness. The concave can be positioned in different locations along the drum length and adjusted radially to change gap size, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to varying crop moisture and throughput conditions.
2Reliability
If the crop flow is not properly divided, then the transfer from threshing to separating is simple, but blockages and disruptions occur in crop flow
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet head is divided into multiple inlet areas with a central crop flow divider that segments the incoming crop flow. This segmentation directs different portions of the crop flow to different separating rotors, preventing overloading and blockages while maintaining reliable transfer from the threshing device.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the crop flow divider is stationary, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate movable threshing concave adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The crop guide is designed to move together with the threshing concave, maintaining its guiding function relative to the crop flow divider even as the concave position changes. This dynamic coupling ensures the crop flow divider remains effective throughout the full range of concave adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The crop guide acts as an intermediary element between the movable threshing concave and the stationary crop flow divider. It transfers the guiding function from the fixed divider to a moving component that can accommodate concave adjustments while maintaining proper crop flow direction.
Data Source
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AI summary
Self-propelled combine harvester (1) comprising a tangential threshing unit (2) and an axial separating unit (3), wherein the separating unit (3) is immediately downstream of the threshing unit (2) when viewed in the direction of flow of the crop material and comprises two axial separating rotors (7, 8) which are mounted to rotate about a rotary axis (20), wherein the separating unit (3) has an inlet head (10) at one end facing the threshing unit (2), into which the crop material can be transferred from the threshing unit (2) and directed in an orderly manner to the separating rotors (7, 8).In order to provide a combine harvester in which the transfer of the harvested crop from the threshing unit to the separating unit is optimized, the inlet head (10) has a central crop flow divider (28) at one end facing the threshing drum (5), wherein the concave (6) includes a crop guide (32) which is associated with the crop flow divider (28) and encompasses it at least partially, wherein the crop guide (32) can be guided along the crop flow divider (28) during a movement of the concave (6) relative to the inlet head (10).