Crop Divider Stroker Arrays for Grain–MOG Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning systems in agricultural combine harvesters face inefficiencies in separating grain from material other than grain (MOG) due to inadequate crop partitioning and advancement mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning system with a pan and a crop divider featuring a multi-dimensional, clustered array of crop strokers that extends laterally to engage and advance crop material during fore-aft reciprocating movement, enhancing lateral partitioning and processing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional crop divider is used, then the structure is simple, but the crop material is not effectively partitioned and advanced
Solution Approach 1:
The crop divider is segmented into multiple functional zones: a body portion for lateral partitioning, a periphery for engagement, and a stepped floor for material accumulation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function effectively, improving overall crop material advancement efficiency while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a traditional two-dimensional crop divider to a three-dimensional structure with vertical extent (body height), lateral extension (periphery), and stepped configurations. This dimensional addition enables simultaneous lateral partitioning and vertical engagement with crop material, enhancing advancement capability without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If crop material is not laterally partitioned, then the device is simpler, but grain separation from MOG is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The crop divider employs local quality differentiation through its periphery design, where the stepped floor creates localized accumulation zones at specific lateral positions. This allows different regions of the same component to serve different functions: the body provides overall partitioning while the stepped periphery creates specific engagement zones for grain-MOG separation, improving separation quality without requiring multiple separate components.
3Ease of operation
If a single-dimensional crop divider is used, then the structure is simpler, but crop material is not effectively engaged
Solution Approach 1:
The crop divider body is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it partitions crop material laterally, engages crop material through its periphery, and facilitates material advancement through the stepped floor configuration. This multi-functionality is achieved within a single integrated component, improving ease of operation without requiring multiple separate mechanisms, thus balancing operational effectiveness with structural simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning system for an agricultural combine harvester includes a pan and a crop divider. The pan includes a stepped floor to receive crop material thereon and is arranged for fore-aft reciprocating movement to advance the crop material in a crop-processing direction. The crop divider is mounted with the pan for fore-aft reciprocating movement therewith and extends in a fore-aft manner and above the stepped floor to partition the crop material laterally. The crop divider includes a body and a periphery disposed about the body. The body includes a multi-dimensional, clustered array of crop strokers extending laterally to engage the crop material to advance the crop material in the crop-processing direction during fore-aft reciprocating movement of the pan.