Curved Impeller Tines for Uniform Windrow Formation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Impeller conditioners for mowed crops often result in non-uniform windrows due to crop carryover, leading to uneven drying rates as some crop is not properly guided by the shields and is deposited outside the intended windrow.

Innovation Solution

The impeller rotor is equipped with tines that are curved outwardly from the axis of rotation, ensuring that as they rotate, the outer ends trail behind the inner ends, preventing crop carryover and allowing for uniform windrow formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If straight tines are used on the impeller rotor, then the结构简单 (structure is simple), but crop carryover occurs resulting in non-uniform windrows

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetine shapeVSAvoidwindrow uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature to the tine design by curving the tines outwardly from the axis of rotation such that the outer ends trail behind the inner ends in the direction of rotation. This curved configuration prevents crop carryover by ensuring proper crop release at the desired location, thereby achieving uniform windrow formation while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Manufacturing precision

If curved tines are used on the impeller rotor, then windrow uniformity is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewindrow uniformityVSAvoidtine manufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The curved tine design, while improving windrow uniformity, introduces manufacturing complexity. The tines must be formed with specific outward curvature where outer ends trail inner ends, requiring curved metal forming or bending processes that are more complex than producing straight tines

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 design significantly reduces crop carryover, resulting in uniform windrows with consistent drying characteristics, enhancing the efficiency of crop conditioning and dry-down processes.

Implementation Method 1

the tines then being subjected to centrifugal force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentUS8166740B2Impeller conditioner rotor equipped with curved tines

Publication Date: 2012.05.01 DEERE & CO

AI summary

A crop conditioner is equipped with an impeller including a rotor to which a plurality of conditioner tines are respectively pivotally mounted at one of their ends. The tines are contoured so that they release crop at an appropriate location for the crop to engage the forming shields and thus become part of a well-defined windrow.