Flat-Bottom Grain Tank with Active Auger Conveying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional grain tanks in combine harvesters have inefficient use of volume due to their geometry, which is limited by the angle of repose of the grain, restricting the size of the tank and the length of the unload tube, and requiring complex vertical conveying systems.
Innovation Solution
A grain tank with a generally flat bottom oriented at an angle less than the grain's angle of repose, equipped with an active conveying system, such as an auger bed or conveyor belt, that conveys grain to a cross auger, allowing for orthogonal conveyance and independent operation of components, and sensors to control the system based on grain levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional grain tanks use gravity feed with steep inclines to manage grain flow, then grain can be moved to the cross auger, but the tank volume is limited and the geometry is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using an active conveying system (augers or conveyors) to move grain along the flat bottom before unloading, rather than relying on gravity feed from steep inclines. This allows the tank to maintain a flat-bottomed geometry with optimized volume while the conveying system performs the grain movement function that would otherwise require complex inclined structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the gravity-based mechanical system (steep inclines) with an active mechanical conveying system (augers or conveyors). This substitution allows the tank bottom to be flat while still achieving effective grain movement to the cross auger, resolving the contradiction between tank volume optimization and geometry complexity.
2Productivity
If wider cutting headers are used to increase harvesting capacity, then more grain is harvested, but longer unload tubes are needed which require greater distance between combine and support vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The active conveying system performs preliminary grain movement along the flat bottom, positioning grain for efficient loading onto the unload tube. This reduces the effective length needed for the unload tube compared to systems that rely on gravity feed from high points, allowing wider cutting headers without proportionally increasing unload tube length.
3Volume of moving object
If active conveying system is added to flat-bottomed grain tank, then grain can be moved without steep inclines, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying system is segmented into modular components (augers or conveyors) that can be independently controlled and positioned along the flat bottom. This segmentation allows the system to achieve effective grain movement with simpler, more manageable components rather than a single complex mechanism, resolving the contradiction between volume optimization and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying system is designed to be dynamic and adaptive, with components that can be activated only when needed based on grain level sensors and control systems. This dynamic operation reduces the effective complexity by allowing parts of the system to remain inactive or dormant when not required, while still providing the volume benefits of a flat-bottomed tank design.
4Volume of moving object
If grain tank bottom is oriented at angle less than angle of repose, then larger tank volume is achieved, but grain will not flow to cross auger by gravity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces gravity-based grain flow (which requires steep inclines greater than the angle of repose) with an active mechanical conveying system. This substitution allows the tank bottom to be oriented at a gentle angle that maximizes volume while the conveying system provides the necessary grain movement to the cross auger, effectively resolving the contradiction between volume and ease of operation.
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
Enables a larger grain tank with improved space utilization, longer unload tubes for safer operation, and efficient unloading without relying on gravity, enhancing the harvesting process.
Implementation Method 1
A first auger is used for unloading grain from the grain tank to a discharge conveyor by conveying the grain in a first direction, and a conveyor conveys grain along the bottom in a second direction to the cross auger
Implementation Method 2
utilizing an active conveying system, such as an auger bed or conveyor belt, to facilitate grain movement to a cross auger
Implementation Method 3
and sensors to control the conveying mechanism based on grain levels
Data Source
AI summary
A grain tank includes a generally flat bottom that is oriented at a position that is less than the angle of repose of the grain. A conveyor mechanism conveys grain along the bottom to a cross auger for unloading. One or more sensors may be placed in the grain tank to determine a state of the grain to further determine if the conveyor mechanism should be operated to unload grain from the grain tank.