Combine Chaff Mill Variable-Speed Drive for Lower Engine Load

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing weed seed mills in agricultural harvesters operate at a single constant speed, leading to inefficient power consumption, premature wear, and unnecessary draw on the combine engine, especially when processing minimal chaff.

Innovation Solution

A gearbox is integrated into the drive system to allow the chaff mill rotor to rotate at least two different speeds, optimizing power usage and reducing wear by varying the speed based on processing demands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the weed seed mill operates at a single constant speed, then the mill can maintain consistent processing capability, but it consumes power at all times even when processing minimal chaff, resulting in premature wear and unnecessary power draw from the engine

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemill performance consistencyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from a fixed-speed drive system to a variable-speed drive system. The mill rotor speed can now be adjusted dynamically based on processing conditions, allowing the system to operate at optimal speeds for different chaff loads while maintaining reliability. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the mill to adapt its speed rather than running at a constant rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the operational speed parameter of the mill rotor. Instead of maintaining a single constant speed, the system now operates across a range of speeds that can be adjusted according to processing demands. This allows power consumption to be optimized while preserving the mill's processing capability across different operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the weed seed mill operates at a single constant speed, then the drive system is simple, but it draws unnecessary power from the engine and causes premature wear when processing minimal chaff

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrive system simplicityVSAvoidunnecessary power draw

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The drive system transitions from a static, fixed-speed configuration to a dynamic, variable-speed configuration. This allows the mill to adjust its operational speed based on actual processing needs, reducing unnecessary power draw during low-load conditions while maintaining the simplicity of the overall system architecture through controlled complexity in the drive mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The variable-speed operation enables periodic adjustment of the mill rotor speed according to processing demands. The system can cycle through different speed levels based on chaff load conditions, optimizing energy usage by matching power delivery to actual processing requirements rather than maintaining continuous constant-speed operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If the weed seed mill operates at a single constant speed, then the drive system is easy to operate, but it results in premature wear of the mill and inefficient power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrive system operation simplicityVSAvoidmill equipment life

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The variable-speed drive system maintains ease of operation while extending mill life by automatically or manually adjusting operational parameters. The system can operate across different speed ranges to optimize wear conditions, reducing premature wear during low-load operations while preserving the simplicity of operation through intuitive control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The variable-speed capability provides beforehand cushioning by allowing the operator to select appropriate speed settings that prevent excessive wear before it occurs. By adjusting the mill speed to match processing conditions, the system cushions against premature wear that would result from constant high-speed operation during low-load conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS20250234810A1Variable speed drive for chaff mill of combine harvester

Publication Date: 2025.07.24 CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC

AI summary

A residue processing system for an agricultural harvester includes a chaff mill for processing a stream of chaff containing weed seeds, and a drive system for powering the chaff mill. The drive system includes a gearbox having (i) an input shaft that either directly or indirectly receives power from an engine or other power source of the agricultural harvester, and (ii) an output shaft that is either directly or indirectly connected to a rotor of the chaff mill for rotating the rotor. The gearbox is configured to selectively rotate the output shaft at at least two different speeds such that the rotor of the chaff mill can be rotated at at least two different speeds.