Dual Return Conveyors for Grain Pan Stratification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current combine harvesters face challenges in effectively stratifying grain and material other than grain (MOG) on the grain pan upstream of the cleaning unit, which affects the efficiency of the cleaning process.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of two return conveyors positioned under the separating apparatus, one catching grain-rich material and conveying it forwardly to a first front edge and the other catching MOG-rich material and conveying it to a second front edge, both dropping onto a grain pan to enhance stratification, with the first conveyor being shorter and the second longer to optimize material distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single return conveyor is used to collect grain from the separating apparatus, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stratification quality of grain and MOG on the grain pan deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single return conveyor is divided into two separate return conveyors: a first return conveyor positioned under the front portion of the separating apparatus and a second return conveyor positioned under the rear portion. This segmentation allows different material streams (grain-rich from front, MOG-rich from rear) to be handled separately and deposited at different locations on the grain pan, thereby improving stratification quality without excessive complexity increase.
2Productivity
If grain-rich material and MOG-rich material are mixed together on the grain pan, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cleaning efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The return conveyance function is segmented into two separate conveyors that deposit materials at different locations on the grain pan. The first return conveyor deposits grain-rich material at a first location, while the second return conveyor deposits MOG-rich material at a second location. This spatial segmentation enables natural stratification during conveyance, with grain settling at the bottom and MOG remaining on top, thereby improving cleaning efficiency without requiring complex additional separation devices.
3Quantity of substance
If the first return conveyor is made longer to collect more grain, then the grain collection capacity is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single long conveyor to collect all grain, the system segments the collection function between two conveyors of optimized lengths. The first return conveyor (under the front portion) and the second return conveyor (under the rear portion) are each sized appropriately for their respective collection zones. This segmentation allows adequate grain collection capacity while avoiding the excessive length and complexity that would result from a single extended conveyor.
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 dual return conveyor system improves the stratification of grain and MOG on the grain pan, allowing for more effective separation and cleaning by ensuring grain-rich material settles at the bottom and MOG-rich material is separated and removed efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
arranged to catch a portion of said separated grain and convey the caught grain forwardly to a first front edge from where the grain falls under gravity onto a first region of an underlying grain pan
Implementation Method 2
The first and/or the second return conveyor may comprise a respective oscillating return pan which is coupled to an oscillating drive mechanism in a known manner
Data Source
AI summary
A combine harvester (10) comprising axial separating apparatus (24, 25) is provided. The axial separating apparatus comprises at least one rotor (28) mounted for rotation in a rotor cage (30) and is arranged to convey crop material in a spiral path from a front end to a rear end. The rotors (28) may also serve to thresh the crop material before separation. The rotor cage (30) includes a grate (34) for allowing separated grain to fall there through under gravity. Two return conveyors (42, 44) are positioned below the grate (34), one behind the other. A first return conveyor (42) disposed under a front portion of the separating apparatus is arranged to catch a portion of said separated grain and convey the caught grain forwardly to a first front edge (46) from where the grain falls under gravity onto a first region of an underlying grain pan (60). A second return conveyor (44) disposed under a rear portion of the separating apparatus is arranged to catch a portion of said separated grain and convey the caught grain forwardly to a second front edge (50) from where the grain falls under gravity at a distance located behind the first region. The grain pan (60) serves to convey the collected grain in a rearward direction to a cleaning unit (64).