Combine Harvester Residue Distribution via Segmented Blowers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crop residue distribution systems in combine harvesters face inefficiencies due to large, bulky discharge blowers that require low energy but are cumbersome, or smaller blowers that incur energy losses from significant deflection of crop residues, leading to friction and energy inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A crop residue chopping and distributing arrangement featuring a straw chopper and discharge blowers that rotate in opposite directions, with a guide element to direct the residue stream and outer guide elements to deflect outer regions inward, reducing energy requirements and optimizing residue distribution by minimizing deflection angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If large discharge blowers are used to distribute crop residues, then the distribution coverage is improved, but the device complexity and bulkiness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge system is segmented into multiple discharge blowers arranged laterally adjacent to each other, with each blower responsible for a specific lateral zone. This segmentation allows the system to cover a wider distribution area without requiring a single oversized blower, thereby reducing individual device complexity while maintaining overall coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge blowers are arranged in a lateral configuration across the width of the combine harvester, utilizing the lateral dimension to expand distribution coverage. This dimensional arrangement allows multiple blowers to work in parallel across different lateral zones, achieving wide coverage without increasing the longitudinal footprint or complexity of individual blowers.
2Device complexity
If smaller discharge blowers are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but energy losses increase due to significant deflection of crop residues
Solution Approach 1:
Guide elements are positioned upstream of the discharge blowers to preliminarily direct and align the crop residue stream toward the blowers. This preliminary action ensures that residues approach the blowers at optimal angles, minimizing unnecessary deflection and reducing energy losses before the residues are discharged.
Solution Approach 2:
Guide elements serve as intermediary components between the straw chopper and discharge blowers. These intermediaries smooth the transition of crop residues, controlling their trajectory and reducing abrupt deflections that would occur without guidance, thereby minimizing energy losses while maintaining system simplicity.
3Ease of operation
If crop residue stream is deflected downstream of the straw chopper, then the distribution direction is controlled, but friction and energy losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide elements are strategically positioned to provide localized guidance only where needed for direction control, rather than deflecting the entire crop residue stream. This local quality approach allows precise control of residue trajectory toward the discharge blowers while minimizing friction and energy losses in regions where minimal deflection is required.
4Area of stationary object
If discharge blowers rotate inwardly to distribute residues, then the distribution width is improved, but the outer regions require significant deflection energy
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational motion of each discharge blower is segmented into independent rotation about its own axis, allowing each blower to independently distribute residues across its designated lateral zone. This segmentation enables optimized rotation patterns that minimize energy consumption while achieving the required distribution width through coordinated action of multiple blowers.
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 arrangement enhances energy efficiency by utilizing the speed of crop residues effectively, reducing energy consumption, and improving the distribution distance while minimizing friction and accumulation issues.
Implementation Method 1
the discharge blowers rotate in opposite directions, wherein the regions of the discharge blowers that face the straw chopper rotate toward one another
Implementation Method 2
the deflection of the crop residue stream downstream of the straw chopper leads to friction and therefore energy losses
Data Source
AI summary
In a crop residue chopping and distributing arrangement for a combine harvester (10) with a straw chopper (60) and two discharge blowers (100), a guide element (150) distributes the crop residue stream over the two discharge blowers (100) is arranged between said blowers. Passages (162) remain between the guide element (150) and the discharge blowers (100) such that the crop residues can be rearwardly discharged onto the field by the straw chopper (60) through said passages. Outer guide elements (141) are provided between the straw chopper (60) and the discharge blowers (100) in order to deflect the outer regions of the crop residue stream inward. The straw chopper housing (19) may feature a curved bottom (112) that axially conveys the crop residues to the discharge blowers (100) at an angle, wherein a flat crop residue guide element (112) is arranged between the straw chopper housing (90) and the discharge blowers (100).