Crop Debris Separator With Perforated Carrier Medium

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing crop debris separation devices are ineffective in handling debris larger than the crops, leading to clogging and potential damage, as they are designed for specific size ranges and types, causing downtime and increased operational costs.

Innovation Solution

A debris separating device with a driven closed loop carrier medium that includes openings for crops to pass through, allowing larger debris to be transported away from the main flow, featuring multiple carrier mediums that can operate in opposite directions and at various angles to increase capacity and reduce required space, and incorporating pneumatic or mechanical ejection devices for further separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If prior art arrangements are configured to separate unwanted objects of a specific size range, then separation effectiveness for that size range is improved, but the device cannot handle larger debris without clogging or damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation effectivenessVSAvoidhandling capability for different debris sizes
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into multiple separation stages with different opening sizes. The first separation device has larger openings to handle large debris, while the second separation device has smaller openings for finer separation. This segmentation allows each stage to specialize in a specific size range, improving overall reliability and adaptability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If a single separation device is used for all debris sizes, then device complexity is reduced, but larger debris causes clogging and downtime

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of separation devicesVSAvoidcontinuous operation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The separation system is segmented into multiple devices arranged in series, where the first device handles large debris with larger openings and the second device handles smaller debris with smaller openings. This prevents clogging in any single device and enables continuous operation, improving productivity despite increased complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If multiple carrier mediums operate in opposite directions, then separation capacity is increased, but device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation capacityVSAvoidcarrier medium configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple carrier mediums are arranged in a vertical stack with different operating directions. The first carrier medium operates in one direction while the second operates in the opposite direction, utilizing the vertical dimension to increase separation capacity without significantly increasing the horizontal footprint, thus managing complexity effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Effectively separates crops from debris of larger dimensions without clogging, reducing downtime and operational costs by efficiently managing large debris and varying shapes, ensuring continuous production and minimizing damage to equipment.

Implementation Method 1

an output end arranged vertically below the receiving end for providing objects downstream

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4385301A1Device for separating crops from debris
Publication Date: 2024.06.19 AGEC
  • EP4385301A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2d
  • EP4385301A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~5
  • EP4385301A1 patent drawingFigure 6a~9

AI summary

A debris separating device (200) for separating debris (2) from crops (1) is presented. The debris separating device (200) comprises a receiving end (220) for receiving the collection of objects (5) and an output end (230) arranged vertically below the receiving end (220) for providing objects (5) downstream in a feeding flow (F) of the debris separating device (200). Further to this, the debris separating device (200) comprises a driven closed loop carrier medium (210) arranged between the receiving end and the output end (230). The driven closed loop carrier medium (210) is provided with one or more openings (212) adapted to permit crops (1) to pass there through, and the driven closed loop carrier medium (210) is arranged to provide objects (5) passing there through to the output end (230) of the debris separating device (200).