Non-Row Sensitive Corn Header Auger Threshing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing corn threshing headers are inefficient due to complex and redundant mechanisms such as row dividers, hoods, gathering chains, and stalk rolls, which waste energy and are not adaptable to non-uniform crop arrangements, leading to grain loss and increased debris accumulation.
Innovation Solution
A non-row sensitive corn threshing header with a forwardly disposed cutting apparatus and rearwardly disposed threshing apparatus using screw auger conveyors in upper and lower planes to separate kernels from the cob, eliminating the need for row dividers, hoods, and stalk rolls, and incorporating a transversely arranged cutting apparatus to handle crops regardless of orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If row dividers, hoods, gathering chains, and stalk rolls are used in the corn header, then the crop can be guided and processed through the header, but the device complexity increases and energy is wasted in redundant operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes row dividers, hoods, gathering chains, and stalk rolls from the header structure. The cutting apparatus is positioned to cut the entire width of the crop without requiring these auxiliary components, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining operational effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions: it cuts the entire width of the crop, guides the cut material rearwardly, and feeds it to the threshing apparatus without requiring separate specialized components for each function.
2Reliability
If row dividers and hoods are installed on the header, then crop damage is minimized in uniform row conditions, but the header becomes more vulnerable to damage when run aground and the structures serve no purpose when rows are evenly spaced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates row dividers and hoods from the header structure, removing components that provide conditional protection but create vulnerability and complexity. The cutting apparatus is designed to handle crops in both uniform and non-uniform arrangements without these auxiliary protective structures.
3Ease of operation
If gathering chains with paddles and multiple sprockets are used to move ears from stripping position to auger, then ears are conveyed through the header, but the system becomes complex and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes gathering chains, paddles, and multiple sprockets from the header. The cutting apparatus cuts the entire width of the crop and the cut material is conveyed rearwardly by the cutting apparatus itself and feed rolls, eliminating the need for separate gathering chain mechanisms.
4Ease of operation
If stalk rolls with knives are used to engage and pull stalks downward for ear detachment, then the threshing function is performed, but the device complexity increases and the system is inefficient for the limited function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates stalk rolls with knives from the header structure. The cutting apparatus cuts the entire width of the crop including the stalks, and the cut material is conveyed rearwardly to the threshing apparatus, removing the need for separate stalk roll mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The functions of cutting and conveying are merged into a single cutting apparatus system, and the threshing function is performed by a separate threshing apparatus, eliminating the need for intermediate stalk roll mechanisms.
5Ease of operation
If a cross auger is used to laterally move stripped ears toward the center, then ears are conveyed to the center for gathering, but kernels dislodged during stripping are not engaged and gather in outboard recesses causing grain loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the cross auger from the header structure. The cutting apparatus cuts the entire width of the crop and conveys cut material rearwardly, and the threshing apparatus processes the material, eliminating the need for a separate cross auger and preventing kernel loss in outboard recesses.
6Productivity
If the header processes crop in uniformly spaced rows with row-aligned cutting, then the crop can be harvested efficiently in ideal conditions, but the header is not adaptable to random crop arrangements and requires intensive planting requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting apparatus is designed to cut the entire width of the crop regardless of row arrangement. The apparatus can process both uniformly spaced rows and random crop arrangements, making the header versatile and adaptable to different planting conditions without requiring intensive planting requirements.
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 solution simplifies the harvesting process, reduces energy consumption, and allows for efficient kernel separation from the plant, enabling the header to handle crops in random arrangements, thereby improving overall crop production efficiency and reducing maintenance and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
Pluralities of screw auger conveyors arranged in upper and lower planes receive the crop and urge the crop between converging surfaces defined by the screw flighting and expandingly tapered auger shanks
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 5
AI summary
A non-row sensitive corn threshing header (15) comprising a forwardly disposed cutting apparatus (19) for severing standing corn crop from the ground and a rearwardly disposed threshing apparatus for separating kernels from the plant, collecting the kernels, and discarding the remaining plant. The threshing apparatus includes a plurality of screw auger conveyors (30, 40) arranged in upper and lower planes that receive the crop and urge the crop into diminishing space between adjacent auger conveyors (30, 40), the space defined by the auger flighting (34, 44) and the expandingly tapered auger shanks (32, 42). Kernels are separated from the cob as the ears are urged rearwardly in the threshing apparatus. The header (15) may include screens and the like for cleaning the grain of chaff prior to transferring to on-board storage or chaff removal may occur after the grain is off-loaded from the harvester.