Extendable Conveyor Flexible Seal Gap Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing extendable conveyor assemblies for agricultural applications, such as combines, face issues with material loss during extension and retraction due to gaps between frames, which can lead to grain or crop loss during unloading and transport.
Innovation Solution
An extendable conveyor assembly with a flexible seal mounted to a side shield that bridges the gap between the second frame and the side shield, using a guide element to move the seal between positions as the second frame extends or retracts, ensuring the seal encloses the nose of the second frame's profile element to prevent material loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the second frame is made extendable to increase unloading capacity, then productivity is improved, but material loss increases due to gaps between frames
Solution Approach 1:
An elongate flexible seal is mounted to the side shield, extending along the second frame to bridge the gap between the side shield and the second frame. The seal comprises a proximal part and a distal part that can assume different positions, effectively preventing conveyed material from falling off the conveyor during extension and retraction operations.
2Loss of substance
If a seal is added to prevent material loss, then material loss is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is designed as a flexible, movable component that can assume different positions. As the second frame moves between extended and retracted positions, the seal dynamically adjusts its configuration under control of a guide element, transitioning between a first position when retracted and a second position when extended, maintaining sealing effectiveness throughout the motion range.
Solution Approach 2:
A guide element is introduced as an intermediary component to control the movement of the seal between its different positions. The guide element ensures the seal properly engages with the second frame during extension and retraction, managing the complexity of the seal's motion without requiring complex actuation mechanisms.
3Loss of substance
If the seal is positioned to bridge the gap between frames, then material loss is prevented, but the seal mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible seal is designed to automatically assume its appropriate position based on the relative position of the second frame. As the frame extends or retracts, the seal's flexibility and the guide element's geometry cause the seal to self-adjust and self-position itself to maintain the seal, eliminating the need for additional actuators or complex positioning mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A conveyor assembly (26) comprises a first frame (50) supporting a first conveyor (28) for feeding material in a first conveying direction. The conveyor assembly (26) also comprises a second frame (60) supporting a second conveyor (30) for feeding material in a second conveying direction parallel to the first conveying direction. The second frame (60) is movable with respect to the first frame (50) along the second conveying direction between a retracted position and an extended position. A side shield (70) is connected to a side of the second frame (60) and shields the second conveyor (30) laterally. An elongate, flexible seal (94) is mounted to the side shield (70), the flexible seal (94) bridging a gap between the side shield (70) and the second frame (60).