Contoured Auger Pan Radial Ridges Corn Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing auger conveying systems for harvesters, with smooth pans, cause ears of corn to slide rather than move longitudinally, leading to inefficiency and potential damage, as they lack sufficient friction to prevent radial movement without risking clogging.
Innovation Solution
A contoured auger pan with radial ridges or projections in the rear quadrant provides resistance to radial movement, ensuring the helical blade can efficiently direct ears of corn toward the center by balancing friction and flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pan forms a smooth trough, then the ears of corn can move freely, but the ears slide rather than move longitudinally, decreasing transport efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The pan surface is modified with localized ridges and contours in specific areas (rear quadrant, lower section) while maintaining smooth surfaces in other areas. These localized features provide friction where needed without completely restricting movement, resolving the contradiction between movement freedom and transport efficiency.
2Productivity
If friction or resistance is increased to prevent sliding, then longitudinal movement improves, but clogging or damage to the conveyed material may occur
Solution Approach 1:
Friction-enhancing features are localized to specific regions (rear quadrant ridges, lower pan sections) rather than applying high friction across the entire pan surface. This provides sufficient resistance to prevent sliding and improve longitudinal movement while avoiding excessive friction that would cause clogging or damage to corn ears.
Solution Approach 2:
The ridges and contours are designed with curved, rounded features rather than sharp edges. This curvature allows corn ears to roll or follow the contours smoothly, providing friction to prevent sliding while reducing the risk of mechanical damage to the conveyed material.
3Force
If the helical blade imparts radial lateral movement, then the ears are engaged, but they may fall off the blade or be carried over the center core, decreasing transport efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The pan features are concentrated in the rear quadrant and lower sections where corn ears need guidance and containment. This localized friction helps maintain radial position during engagement with the helical blade, preventing ears from falling off or being carried over the center core, thereby improving transport efficiency while maintaining necessary engagement force.
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 contoured pan with radial ridges enhances the longitudinal transport of corn ears by preventing sliding and reducing damage, while maintaining efficient movement and preventing clogging.
Implementation Method 1
a rotating shaft with a continuous helical blade with the blades on the left and right side of the center of the harvester extending around the shaft in opposite directions so that rotation of the shaft directs material from both sides of the auger inward toward the center
Implementation Method 2
longitudinal ridges extend along the rear quadrant of the trough section of the pan. One or more structures, such as bumps or ridges extend radially inward and provide resistance to radial movement of the ears of corn
Data Source
AI summary
A harvester includes a cross conveying auger with a helical blade. An auger pan extends under and behind the auger and forms a trough portion below the auger. A lower rear quadrant of the auger pan is contoured includes one or more projections to provide resistance to radial movement of the ears of corn so that the ears and are moved longitudinally inward along the auger.