Asymmetric Concave Bar Dihedral Angles Grain Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional combine harvester concave bars and separation grates are not optimized to minimize grain damage while maximizing threshing and separation, leading to inefficient harvesting and grain loss.
Innovation Solution
A concave bar configuration with varying dihedral angles and surface areas, where one face is 130% to 250% larger than the adjacent face, and bars with different spacing and angles to reduce grain damage while maintaining high threshing efficiency, combined with laser hardening for increased durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional concave bars with uniform configuration are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but grain damage increases and threshing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the dihedral angle and surface area of different concave bars along the concave assembly. Each bar is configured with specific angular deviations (e.g., 5-15 degrees from perpendicular) and surface area ratios (130-250% between adjacent faces) to create localized threshing zones that progressively process crop material, optimizing grain release at different positions without requiring complete redesign of all bars.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements asymmetry through non-uniform bar configurations where adjacent bars have different dihedral angles and face surface areas. The asymmetric design creates varying threshing intensities across the concave, with some bars having larger first faces (130-250% area ratio) to handle specific crop densities, improving overall threshing efficiency while reducing grain damage compared to uniform symmetric designs.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional concave bars with uniform surface area are used, then manufacturing is easier, but grain capture efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring different bars with specific surface area ratios tailored to their position and function. Bars with 130-250% surface area ratios between adjacent faces are strategically placed to maximize grain capture in high-density zones, while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through controlled variations rather than complete non-uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes geometric parameters (dihedral angle, surface area ratio) of concave bars to optimize grain capture. By varying the first face surface area to be 130-250% of adjacent faces and adjusting dihedral angles from perpendicular by 5-15 degrees, the design captures more grain while remaining manufacturable through standardized production processes for modified geometries.
3Productivity
If concave bars with optimized dihedral angles and surface areas are used, then grain damage is minimized and threshing is maximized, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent manages complexity by applying optimized dihedral angles (5-15 degree deviations) and surface area ratios (130-250%) only to specific bars where needed, rather than making all bars complex. This localized optimization achieves improved threshing effectiveness while keeping the overall system manufacturable through standardized variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls manufacturing complexity by defining specific parameter ranges (dihedral angle variations of 5-15 degrees, surface area ratios of 130-250%) that can be produced using modified but not entirely new manufacturing processes. These controlled parameter changes achieve superior threshing while avoiding the need for completely custom fabrication of each bar.
4Device complexity
If conventional separation grates are used, then the design is simple, but grain separation from MOG is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality to separation grates by varying the configuration of grating elements in different zones. The grates feature modified geometries with specific spacing and angular orientations in high-separation zones, while maintaining simpler designs in areas where separation is less critical, achieving improved grain-MOG separation without complete redesign of the entire grate system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements asymmetry in separation grate design through non-uniform element spacing and angular orientations. The asymmetric configuration creates varying separation intensities across the grate, with denser and more angled elements in zones requiring higher separation efficiency, improving overall performance while maintaining design simplicity through systematic rather than random variations.
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 configuration minimizes grain damage and maximizes threshing effectiveness, ensuring high grain capture and quality with reduced operational inefficiencies and extended bar life.
Implementation Method 1
combined with laser hardening for increased durability
Data Source
AI summary
A threshing concave assembly is disclosed having a threshing concave bar wherein the threshing bar is comprised of two threshing surfaces having a dihedral angle relationship relative to each other. In addition, in another aspect the threshing bar can be comprised of two dihedral surfaces whereby one surface face has about 130% greater surface area than its adjacent surface face. Alternatively, one surface face of the threshing bar can be 1.3x wider than its adjacent surface face. In another aspect the threshing bar can be comprised of two dihedral surfaces whereby one surface face has about a 170% greater surface area than its adjacent surface face.