Disc Screen Shaking Unit for Grain Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional combine harvester machines face issues with high energy consumption, inefficient grain separation, damage to grains during harvesting, and limited flexibility in handling different types of plants, particularly those with thick or short stems.

Innovation Solution

A combine harvester machine equipped with a disc screen shaking unit featuring rotary shafts and perforated discs that rotate to separate grains from stems using a tilting disc screen mechanism, reducing energy consumption and minimizing grain damage, while being adaptable to various plant types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional threshing rollers and concave grids are used, then grain separation is achieved, but energy consumption is high and grain damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrain separation efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical threshing system (rotating rollers and concave grids) with a magnetic separation system. Magnetic elements are introduced between the cutting head and collection container to attract and separate grain from stems using magnetic forces, eliminating the need for high-energy mechanical rolling and reducing grain damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If conventional threshing rollers and concave grids are used, then grain separation is achieved, but grain damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrain separation efficiencyVSAvoidgrain damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If a shaking unit with straw walker is added, then residual grain collection is improved, but device complexity and bulk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresidual grain collectionVSAvoidmachine complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the magnetic separation function with the existing cutting head and collection container assembly, integrating the magnetic elements directly into the harvest path. This merging approach allows residual grain collection without adding a separate, complex shaking unit with straw walkers, thereby maintaining simplicity while improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Productivity

If conventional cutting heads are used, then plant cutting is achieved, but flexibility for different plant types is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplant cutting efficiencyVSAvoidflexibility for different plant types

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the cutting head with adjustable components that can be configured for different plant types and cultivation conditions. The magnetic separation system works universally across various herbaceous plants, and the cutting head can be adjusted to handle different stem thicknesses and plant heights, providing multi-functionality for diverse agricultural applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 disc screen mechanism enhances grain separation efficiency, reduces machine bulk, prevents grain damage, and allows for versatile use across different cultivations, achieving high efficiency and flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

The combine harvester machine is provided with a magnetic element, in particular with a magnetic drum, which is susceptible of rotating around a rotation axis and is adapted to interact with the grain and the stem of the plants in order to separate the grain from the stem of the plants

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

a magnetic element, in particular with a magnetic drum, which is susceptible of rotating around a rotation axis and is adapted to interact with the grain and the stem of the plants in order to separate the grain from the stem of the plants

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field interaction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3811767B1Combine harvester machine for collecting grain from herbaceous plants

Publication Date: 2023.08.09 ECOSTARGREEN SRL

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4

AI summary

Combine harvester machine for collecting grain (G) from herbaceous plants (E), which comprises a harvesting unit (3) intended to cut and collect herbaceous plants (E), a threshing unit (4) susceptible of receiving the cut herbaceous plants (E) in order to separate and collect a first fraction (G1) of the grain (G), and a shaking unit (5) placed downstream of the threshing unit (4) and adapted to separate and collect a second fraction (G2) of the grain (G) of the plants (E) coming from the threshing unit (4) itself. In particular, the shaking unit (5) comprises a disc screen (51) provided with a plurality of rotary shafts (6) on which corresponding discs (8) are mounted, and motorization means (7) adapted to rotate the rotary shafts (6). Each disc (8) is provided with a shaped peripheral surface (81) which, following the rotation of the disc (8), impacts against the herbaceous plants (E) in order to drive the stems of the herbaceous plants (E) along the advancing plane (P) of the disc screen (51) and make the second fraction (G2) of grain (G) fall by gravity through the screening section of the disc screen (51) itself.