Flared Base Finger Element for Combine Harvester Rotor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current axial flow separating rotors in combine harvesters face issues with crop material sticking and high power consumption due to abrupt crop engagement, leading to inefficiencies in grain separation and increased energy use.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates crop engaging finger elements with a flared leading edge and base, providing a reduced angle of engagement and increased stability, which reduces the likelihood of material sticking and lowers power consumption by ensuring smoother crop flow and reduced stress on weld seams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If crop engaging finger elements have an abrupt engagement angle with the rotor tube, then the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but crop material gets stuck and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the geometric parameters of the finger element - specifically introducing a flared base portion with a flare angle between 10-45 degrees and a leading edge angle between 0-30 degrees. These parameter modifications create a gradual engagement profile that reduces crop material sticking and lowers power consumption while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard fabrication processes.
2Device complexity
If crop engaging finger elements have an abrupt engagement angle, then the structure is simpler, but crop flow conveyance is reduced due to material sticking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies geometric parameters by introducing a flared base portion with specific flare angles (10-45 degrees) and leading edge angles (0-30 degrees). This creates a gradual engagement profile that improves crop flow conveyance by preventing material sticking, while the overall structure remains relatively simple and can be manufactured using standard processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies curvature principles by creating a flared base portion that provides a gradual, curved transition angle between the finger element and rotor tube. This curved geometry (as opposed to an abrupt angular junction) allows crop material to flow more smoothly onto the finger element, improving conveyance efficiency without significantly increasing structural complexity.
3Device complexity
If the finger element base is narrow, then the structure is simpler and uses less material, but the finger element is less stable and more prone to twisting under load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the base geometry to include a flared base portion with a flare angle between 10-45 degrees. This parameter modification increases the base width and creates a more stable foundation for the finger element, reducing twisting under load while maintaining reasonable structural complexity and material usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetry in the finger element design through the flared base portion, which creates an asymmetric angular profile. This asymmetric geometry provides enhanced stability by distributing loads more effectively and preventing twisting, while the overall design remains relatively simple and does not significantly increase structural complexity.
4Ease of manufacture
If the leading edge angle is large, then the structure is simpler to manufacture, but crop material is more likely to get stuck at the entry point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the leading edge angle to fall within 0-30 degrees. This parameter optimization creates a shallower engagement angle that reduces crop material sticking at the entry point while remaining manufacturable through standard fabrication processes. The flared base portion works in conjunction with this angle optimization to provide smooth material flow.
Data Source
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AI summary
A combine harvester (10) comprises a separating rotor (20) with a rotor tube (40) and a plurality of crop engaging finger elements (46). Each finger element (46) is mounted to a respective finger support (44) which is secured to the rotor tube (40). The finger element (46) comprises a planar body with a flared base portion (50) which presents a leading edge (56) to the crop material with a relatively shallow angle with respect to the tube (40).