Crop Residue Spreader with Separate Blower Outlet
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crop residue spreaders for combine harvesters face limitations in maximizing the spreading width of crop residue due to suboptimal airflow and impeller blade designs, which lead to reduced efficiency and increased risk of blockage and spillage, especially with lighter residues like chaff.
Innovation Solution
A crop residue spreader with separate blower outlet openings that provide a controlled and optimized airflow to accelerate the crop residue flow, allowing for a wider spreading width without compromising the design for both airflow generation and residue propulsion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air fins are attached to the impeller disc to generate outgoing airflow for cleaning function, then the risk of blockage is reduced, but the outgoing airflow forms a downward radial air curtain that disturbs the crop residue flow and reduces maximum spreading width
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the airflow generation function from the impeller disc by using a dedicated blower unit with separate outlet openings. This segmentation allows the airflow to be directed independently without forming a disruptive downward radial air curtain, thus maintaining both blockage prevention and wide spreading capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary blower unit that generates and directs airflow separately from the impeller system. This intermediary device provides the necessary cleaning airflow without the negative side effects of the air curtain effect, acting as a mediator between the need for blockage prevention and wide spreading.
2Productivity
If impeller blades are used to generate incoming suction airflow for lighter crop residue components, then chaff intake efficiency is improved, but the inlet opening radius must be smaller than impeller radius which limits maximum spreading distance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates airflow generation from impeller blade functions by using a dedicated blower unit. This allows the inlet opening radius to be optimized for maximum spreading distance without compromising chaff intake efficiency, as the blower independently provides the necessary suction airflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The blower unit acts as an intermediary that provides incoming suction airflow independently, allowing the impeller blades to focus solely on propelling crop residue. This intermediary arrangement enables both efficient chaff intake and maximum spreading distance.
3Device complexity
If impeller blades function both as propulsion elements and airflow generation elements, then device complexity is reduced, but optimal design for both functions cannot be achieved limiting spreading distance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the system into separate functional units: impeller blades for propulsion and a dedicated blower for airflow generation. Although this increases component count, it allows each element to be optimally designed for its specific function, thereby maximizing spreading distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The blower serves as an intermediary airflow generation device that works in conjunction with the impeller blades. This separation allows the impeller blades to be optimized for propulsion while the blower optimizes airflow characteristics, achieving maximum spreading performance.
4Device complexity
If incoming crop residue flow and incoming suction airflow are received through the same inlet opening, then device complexity is reduced, but uncontrolled variations in crop residue flow cause uncontrolled variations in generated airflow reducing spreading consistency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the inlet openings for crop residue flow and suction airflow into distinct channels. This segmentation ensures that variations in crop residue flow do not directly affect airflow generation, maintaining consistent spreading performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The blower unit acts as an intermediary that receives airflow independently from crop residue flow. This independent intake path ensures that airflow generation is not directly influenced by crop residue flow variations, improving spreading consistency.
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 enables a more efficient and robust spreading of crop residues over a greater width, reducing the need for complex outlet nozzles and minimizing the risk of blockage, while optimizing both airflow acceleration and residue flow impact.
Implementation Method 1
at least one impeller configured to be rotatably driven around a rotation axis such that incoming crop residue flow is converted into outgoing crop residue flow
Implementation Method 2
separate blower outlet openings respectively providing controlled and optimized airflow to accelerate the crop residue flow
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The crop residue spreader (10) comprises at least one separate blower outlet opening (62), separate from the corresponding crop residue outlet opening (32) of the corresponding radial housing (30) and configured to provide a corresponding outgoing airflow (220) to accelerate the crop residue flow (100) at least partly.