Concave with Segmented Wire Guide Grooves for Crop Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional concaves in combine harvesters do not provide substantial rearward motion to continuously feed crop material through the threshing process, leading to inefficient separation of grain from material other than grain (MOG).
Innovation Solution
A concave design featuring longitudinal and transverse members with wire guide grooves and channels of varying heights and angles, which attach wires to apply rearward pressure and guide crop material efficiently through the threshing chamber, enhancing separation without mechanical force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional concave design is used, then the structure is simple, but the separation efficiency of grain from MOG is insufficient due to lack of rearward motion
Solution Approach 1:
The concave is divided into multiple longitudinal members (first, second, third, fourth) with distinct wire guide groove configurations. Each longitudinal member segment provides specific rearward motion characteristics, allowing the entire concave structure to deliver enhanced separation efficiency through distributed functional segments rather than a monolithic design.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the concave structure have different wire guide groove characteristics. The first longitudinal member has grooves at a first height, the second at a second height, the third at a third height, and the fourth at a fourth height. This local variation in groove positioning creates varied rearward pressure distributions across different zones, optimizing separation efficiency for different crop material flows while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
2Productivity
If wire guide grooves are added to longitudinal members, then rearward pressure application is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wire guide grooves are segmented across four separate longitudinal members rather than being integrated into a single complex component. This segmentation allows each member to be manufactured independently with standard grooving techniques, then assembled together, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving the complex function of distributed rearward pressure application for efficient crop material feeding.
Solution Approach 2:
Each longitudinal member has wire guide grooves positioned at specific heights (first, second, third, and fourth heights respectively), creating localized quality variations that optimize rearward pressure application at different vertical positions. This approach allows standard manufacturing processes to be used for each member while the assembled structure achieves superior crop material feeding efficiency through the coordinated action of grooves at multiple heights.
Data Source
AI summary
A concave for a harvester combine is provided, the concave comprising a first longitudinal member comprising a plurality of first longitudinal member wire guide grooves substantially at the same height position relative to a bottom of the first longitudinal member; a second longitudinal member comprising a plurality of second longitudinal member wire guide grooves substantially at the same height position relative to a bottom of the second longitudinal member; a first transverse member and a second transverse member substantially parallel to one another affixed to the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member; and a plurality of module members affixed to the first and second transverse members.