Concave Ramp Infeed Slots and Vanes for Crop Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Concave ramps in agricultural combines often create undesirable flow paths, increasing the horsepower required to move crop material and leading to increased wear on components.
Innovation Solution
An infeed ramp with slots and vanes that direct crop material across the width of the ramp, rather than along its length, reducing the energy needed to transport material into the threshing system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the concave ramp is fixedly attached to the first concave, then the concave ramp moves radially with the concave adjustment, but this creates a V area that directs crop material flow around the infeed area instead of across the ramp, increasing horsepower requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The infeed ramp is made movable relative to the rotor while the vanes remain fixed, creating a dynamic configuration that optimizes material flow path. The ramp can adjust position without being fixed to the concave, allowing the flow path to be controlled independently of concave adjustment position.
Solution Approach 2:
The vanes act as an intermediary element between the infeed ramp and the rotor, directing crop material flow across the ramp width rather than allowing it to follow the ramp length. This intermediary structure modifies the flow path to reduce energy requirements.
2Strength
If the concave ramp is fixedly attached to the first concave, then structural support is provided, but this creates increased wear on components due to undesirable flow paths
Solution Approach 1:
The infeed ramp is made movable relative to the rotor while the vanes remain fixed, creating a dynamic configuration that optimizes material flow path. The ramp can adjust position without being fixed to the concave, allowing the flow path to be controlled independently of concave adjustment position.
Solution Approach 2:
The vanes act as an intermediary element between the infeed ramp and the rotor, directing crop material flow across the ramp width rather than allowing it to follow the ramp length. This intermediary structure modifies the flow path to reduce energy requirements.
3Use of energy by moving object
If vanes are added to direct crop material across the ramp width, then energy efficiency increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The infeed ramp structure is segmented by incorporating multiple discrete vanes that can be individually positioned and adjusted. This segmentation allows for optimized material flow control while maintaining structural integrity and enabling easier maintenance or replacement of individual vane components.
Solution Approach 2:
The infeed ramp is made movable relative to the rotor while the vanes remain fixed, creating a dynamic configuration that optimizes material flow path. The ramp can adjust position without being fixed to the concave, allowing the flow path to be controlled independently of concave adjustment position.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural vehicle including a chassis and a threshing system supported by the chassis. The threshing system includes a rotor, a front concave located at a distance radially away from the rotor and at least partially surrounding the rotor, and an infeed ramp connected to the front concave. The infeed ramp is located at a distance radially away from the rotor and has a plurality of slots therein. The threshing system also includes a support member positioned underneath the infeed ramp and a plurality of vanes connected to the support member. Each vane extends through a respective slot of the plurality of slots and is located at a distance radially away from the rotor. The vanes are configured for contacting and directing the crop material rearwardly towards the front concave.