Rotating Drum Screen for Weed Seed Separation in Combine Harvesters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current separation solutions for weed seeds and lost crops from harvesting machines are either spatially separated from the machine, requiring a separate drive, or integrated but lack the advantages of drum screen systems such as high throughput, robustness, and low maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A separating device integrated with the harvesting machine, featuring a rotating separating element, potentially with drum screens, that separates weed seeds and lost crops from the wastage outflow using the machine's drive, and includes conveying elements and optional vibrating or oscillating movements for enhanced separation efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If drum screen systems are used for BKS separation, then high throughput and robustness are achieved, but the system requires separate drive and spatial separation from the harvesting machine

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovethroughputVSAvoidspatial separation and separate drive

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the drum screen separating element directly into the harvesting machine's cleaning system, merging the BKS separation function with the existing cleaning apparatus. This eliminates the need for spatially separated units and separate drives, while maintaining the high throughput and robustness characteristics of drum screen systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The harvesting machine's drive system is made multi-functional by using it to power both the original cleaning functions and the newly integrated drum screen separating element. This universal utilization of the existing drive eliminates the need for additional separate drives while maintaining separation performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If flat screens are used for BKS separation on combine harvesters, then integration is achieved, but throughput and separation efficiency are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveintegrationVSAvoidthroughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a drum screen (curved/spheroidal structure) instead of flat screens. The curved surface of the rotating drum provides better material distribution, increased separation area, and improved throughput capacity while maintaining integration within the combine harvester's cleaning system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Reliability

If air classifiers are used for BKS separation, then separation capability is achieved, but robustness against variable operating conditions and service life are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation capabilityVSAvoidservice life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a mechanically robust drum screen system that utilizes the rotational motion and inherent mechanical forces to achieve separation. This mechanical approach is more durable and resistant to variable operating conditions compared to air classifier systems, while maintaining effective separation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

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 weed seeds and lost crops from the wastage outflow, improving field hygiene by preventing their re-spreading, while utilizing the harvesting machine's drive and maintaining a compact, cost-effective design.

Implementation Method 1

The rotating separating element is designed to separate a material stream substantially consisting of weed seeds (BKS) and lost crops from the wastage outflow of the harvesting machine based on the dimensions or mass or fluid dynamic properties of the particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScreening: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

includes conveying elements and optional vibrating or oscillating movements for enhanced separation efficiency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS20240057521A1Separating device, combine harvester with a separating device, and method for separating weed seeds and lost crops from the wastage outflow of a harvesting machine

Publication Date: 2024.02.22 TSYURN KHARFESTING GMBKH & KO KG

AI summary

The invention relates to a separating device (3) and to a separating method for separating weed seeds and lost crops from the wastage outflow (102) of a harvesting machine (1). The separating device (3) is arranged on the harvesting machine (1) to the outlet area for the wastage (2) of the harvesting machine (1) and has at least one rotating separating element (31), with which a material stream substantially consisting of weed seeds and lost crops is separated from the wastage outflow (102) of the harvesting machine (1). The remaining material stream (103) substantially consists of non-grain constituents and can be spread back directly onto the field, while the separated material stream substantially consisting of weed seeds and lost crops can first be collected and e.g. rendered unable to germinate.