Corn Sheller Blower Airflow Kernel Recovery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing corn-shelling machines experience significant loss of corn grains during the shelling process due to kernels falling through the sheller plates and being unrecoverable, leading to reduced harvest yields.
Innovation Solution
The corn-shelling machine incorporates adjustable sheller plates and a blower system with air nozzles positioned under the sheller plates to prevent kernels from falling to the ground by directing air flows upwards, channeling them towards the rear auger for recovery, while maintaining the efficiency and productivity of conventional machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional sheller plates are used to shell cobs, then the shelling operation is effective, but corn kernels fall through the meatus and are lost on the ground
Solution Approach 1:
A blower system is introduced as an intermediary device between the sheller plates and the ground. The blower generates an air current that acts as a mediator to catch and redirect kernels that would otherwise fall through the meatus, preventing their loss while maintaining the effectiveness of the shelling operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs pneumatic principles by using a blower to generate a controlled air current. This air current flows through the meatus of the sheller plates, creating a pneumatic barrier that prevents kernels from falling through while allowing the shelling process to continue effectively.
2Quantity of substance
If kernels are recovered from the ground, then harvest yield is improved, but the operation becomes time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The blower system performs preliminary action by preventing kernel loss at the source during the shelling operation itself. Instead of allowing kernels to fall to the ground and requiring subsequent recovery operations, the air current continuously redirects kernels into the collection hopper during the shelling process, eliminating the need for time-consuming post-harvest recovery.
3Loss of substance
If the blower system is added to prevent kernel loss, then kernel recovery is improved, but the machine complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blower system is designed with multi-functionality to minimize added complexity. It serves multiple purposes: generating the air current to prevent kernel loss, directing airflow through the meatus, and facilitating kernel collection in the hopper. This universal design reduces the need for additional separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes parameters such as the blower's air flow rate, nozzle positioning, and hopper configuration to achieve effective kernel recovery with minimal additional complexity. By carefully tuning these parameters, the system achieves high kernel recovery efficiency without requiring overly complex mechanical structures.
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
This solution minimizes kernel loss during shelling, allowing for effective recovery and channeling of corn grains without reducing machine speed or requiring special modifications, ensuring high yield and reliability with the blower system being lightweight, economical, and resistant to jamming.
Implementation Method 1
blower means (64) which generate and send a flow of air to channel the kernels of corn, removed from the cobs (8) during shelling, towards the rear auger (16)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Corn-shelling machine (4) suitable for the shelling of cobs (8), having a front head (12) and a rear auger (16) suitable to collect and channel the cobs (8) after shelling. The front head (12) comprises at least one sheller roller fitted with blades (36) to pull a stalk (20) of a corn on the cob plant downwards, The machine (4) is fitted with sheller plates (40), positioned above said at least one sheller roller (24), on the side opposite the ground, the sheller plates (40) having an upper wall (44), opposite the ground and suitable to receive the cobs (8) upon thrashing and to retain them during the shelling phase. Advantageously, the machine (4) comprises blower means (64) which generate and send a flow of air to channel the kernels of corn, removed from the cobs (8) during shelling, towards the rear auger (16), said air flow being directed from the front head (12) of the machine (4) towards the rear auger (16).