Combine Harvester Stalk Discharge System with Configurable Flow Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current combine harvesters require additional manual effort and fuel to prepare grass for baling, as they deposit grass in swaths that need further spreading, and chopping maize cobs and leaves is power-intensive and creates uneven field conditions.
Innovation Solution
A combine harvester with a stalk discharge system featuring a chopper, spreader, and flow control guides that allow for three operator-configurable paths: chopping and spreading, depositing as swaths, and evenly distributing unchopped stalks using counter-rotatable rotors and a shielding system with adjustable spacing to prevent backflow, enabling efficient spreading without additional equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If grass is deposited in swaths using conventional stalk discharge systems, then the grass can be collected for baling, but additional manual effort and fuel are required to spread the grass evenly for proper drying
Solution Approach 1:
The stalk discharge system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can chop and spread stalks, deposit them as swaths, or evenly distribute unchopped stalks directly behind the combine. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate spreading equipment and operations, allowing the same system to adapt to different crop types and harvesting conditions while improving grass drying efficiency without additional manual effort
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates flow control guides that are operator-configurable to define different flow paths dynamically. The guides can be adjusted to direct stalks through the chopper and spreader, bypass them for swath deposition, or route unchopped stalks directly to the discharge area. This dynamic configurability allows optimal performance for different crops (grass vs. maize) and conditions without requiring additional equipment or manual spreading operations
2Ease of operation
If maize cobs and leaves are chopped and spread using the stalk discharge system, then they can be distributed evenly, but a lot of power and fuel are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides localized processing only where needed. Flow control guides direct maize cobs and leaves either through the chopper and spreader for even distribution, or bypass the chopping mechanism entirely and deposit them directly. This localized quality approach allows operators to choose energy-intensive chopping only when even distribution is required, rather than processing all material uniformly, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining distribution quality when needed
3Productivity
If the spreader operates without a rear cover, then chopped stalks can enter the spreader freely, but unchopped stalks may back flow into the chopper causing operational issues
Solution Approach 1:
A rear cover is introduced as an intermediary component at the rear opening of the spreader shielding. This cover acts as a one-way gate that allows chopped stalks to enter the spreader freely from the chopper while preventing unchopped stalks from back flowing into the chopper. The cover maintains system stability and prevents operational issues without restricting the intended flow of processed material, thereby preserving productivity while enhancing reliability
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
The system allows for quicker grass drying and preparation for baling without extra work and efficient spreading of maize cobs and leaves without chopping, reducing fuel consumption and operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The spreader comprises two rotors that are counter-rotatable
Implementation Method 2
a spreader... to be evenly distributed over the ground
Implementation Method 3
a rear cover for the rear opening in the shielding of the spreader to prevent back flow of the stalks from the spreader into the chopper
Implementation Method 4
a chopper... to be chopped and evenly distributed
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A combine harvester is described having a stalk discharge system (10) which incorporate a chopper (12), a spreader (14) and flow control guides for defining multiple operator configurable flow paths through the stalk discharge system. The flow paths include a first flow path in which the stalks pass sequentially through the chopper (12) and the spreader (14) to be chopped and evenly distributed over the ground traversed by the header, and a second flow path in which the stalks bypass the chopper (12) and the spreader (14) to be deposited as a swath on the ground. In the invention, the flow control guides are additionally configurable to define a third flow path in which the stalks enter the spreader (14) without first passing through the chopper (12), to be evenly distributed un- chopped over the ground traversed by the header.