Flexible Auger Forage Harvester Material Applicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing forage harvester systems face challenges in precisely applying treatment materials due to variations in harvesting rates and vacuum consistency, leading to potential waste and deterioration of harvested forage.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring a bin with a flexible auger that extends into a curved or angled tube, using a helical blade to convey granular treatment material mechanically, either independently or in conjunction with a vacuum, to ensure precise and consistent application to harvested forage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vacuum is used to draw and apply treatment material, then the system can achieve consistent material distribution, but the vacuum consistency varies with load and operating conditions leading to imprecise application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flexible auger as an intermediary mechanical device between the material storage bin and the application point. The auger mechanically conveys treatment material through a curved tube to the forage stream, acting as a mediator that decouples material delivery from vacuum variations. This mechanical intermediary ensures consistent material flow rates independent of vacuum fluctuations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the vacuum-based pneumatic delivery system with a mechanically-driven auger system. The auger is rotated by a motor to mechanically convey material through the curved tube, substituting the unreliable vacuum mechanism with a positive-displacement mechanical conveyance system that provides precise and consistent material application.
2Strength
If a rigid auger is used in a curved tube, then the auger can maintain its structural shape, but it cannot adapt to curved tube configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible auger constructed from flexible materials that can bend and conform to curved tube configurations. The flexible auger maintains its helical blade structure for material conveyance while adapting its overall shape to fit curved pathways, enabling it to navigate complex routing from the bin to the application point without rigid structural constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static rigid auger to a dynamic flexible auger that can change its configuration. The flexible auger dynamically adapts its shape based on the tube configuration it occupies, allowing it to bend into curved positions while maintaining functional integrity for material conveyance through the curved tube.
3Productivity
If treatment material is applied based on variable harvesting rates, then the system can respond to changing conditions, but the material application becomes inconsistent leading to waste or deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a controller that receives input signals representing harvesting conditions and adjusts the auger rotation speed accordingly. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain consistent material application rates by dynamically adjusting the mechanical conveyance speed of the auger based on real-time harvesting rate variations, ensuring precise application regardless of productivity changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of the auger rotation speed to maintain consistent material application. By adjusting the rotation speed parameter of the flexible auger in response to varying harvesting conditions, the system compensates for productivity changes and maintains precise material application consistency through parameter modulation.
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 system allows for precise metering and efficient application of treatment materials directly to harvested forage, reducing waste and ensuring consistent distribution, even in varying harvesting conditions, by using a flexible auger that adapts to different tube configurations and operates effectively with or without vacuum assistance.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible auger in the bin that rotates to convey the granular treatment material out of the bin. The flexible auger can extend into a curved portion of the tube, taking on a curved configuration extending into the curved tube portion
Implementation Method 2
The bin can gravity feed a supply of the granular treatment material to the auger in a bottom of the bin
Implementation Method 3
The tube can extend from the bin to a vacuum source generated by the motorized forage harvester. The vacuum source can draw a vacuum to pull the granular treatment material in the tube
Implementation Method 4
The flexible auger can include a blade that wraps around a central auger passageway along a length of the auger. The blade can be of a helical configuration. The blade can engage a portion of an interior of the curved tube portion
Data Source
AI summary
A system and related method of applying forage treatment material to harvested forage is provided. The method can include harvesting forage, rotating a flexible auger in a bin and in a curved or angled part of a tube to convey a granular treatment material toward harvested forage moving in a chute to mix the material with the harvested forage. The system can include a flexible auger having a helical blade that extends around an auger central passageway. The auger rotates and augers the granular treatment material with the blade out of the bin. The auger can extend into a curved portion of the tube, taking on a curved configuration extending into the curved portion so that the auger extends along a curvilinear axis and includes a curvilinear portion that is rotationally constrained in the tube.