Forage Harvester Post-Accelerator Dynamics and Pneumatic Conveying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Forage harvesters face challenges in ensuring uniform overloading of crops during both grass and corn harvesting, while also reducing fuel consumption and wear on equipment.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a post-accelerator that can be adjusted from an acceleration position to a blower position, using an air stream to accelerate crops without mechanical interaction, thereby reducing wear and fuel consumption, and employing a conditioner to process corn kernels, ensuring even loading onto transport vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a post-accelerator is used to accelerate crops in the conveying channel, then the crops can be evenly loaded onto transport vehicles, but fuel consumption increases and wear on the post-accelerator occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The post-accelerator is made dynamically adjustable between two positions: a first position where it accelerates crops mechanically, and a second position where it allows air flow through the conveying channel. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to switch between mechanical acceleration (when uniform loading is needed) and air flow assistance (when fuel savings are prioritized), resolving the contradiction between loading uniformity and fuel consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces pneumatic assistance by allowing air flow through the conveying channel when the post-accelerator is in its second position. This pneumatic mechanism supplements or replaces the mechanical acceleration, enabling crop movement with reduced fuel consumption while maintaining adequate loading uniformity through the combined effect of air flow and residual mechanical action
2Manufacturing precision
If a post-accelerator is used to accelerate crops mechanically, then uniform crop loading is achieved, but wear on the post-accelerator increases
Solution Approach 1:
The post-accelerator's position is dynamically adjusted based on operational needs. By switching between the first position (mechanical acceleration) and second position (air flow mode), the system reduces the cumulative mechanical stress and wear on the post-accelerator while maintaining the capability for uniform loading when required, thus improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The pneumatic air flow mechanism provides an alternative means of moving crops that does not involve direct mechanical contact with the post-accelerator. This reduces wear on the mechanical components by distributing the work between pneumatic and mechanical systems, extending the service life of the post-accelerator
3Manufacturing precision
If the post-accelerator is always in the acceleration position, then crops are accelerated uniformly, but fuel consumption and wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the post-accelerator position based on real-time operational conditions, switching between mechanical acceleration mode and air flow mode. This dynamic adaptation optimizes the balance between uniform loading and fuel efficiency, improving overall operational efficiency by avoiding unnecessary mechanical acceleration when air flow suffices
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the conveying system by introducing variable air flow as a controllable parameter. By adjusting the air flow rate and the post-accelerator position, the system can optimize performance for different operational requirements, improving productivity through parameter optimization rather than fixed 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
This solution allows for uniform crop loading with reduced fuel consumption and wear on equipment, ensuring efficient operation and even distribution of crops, especially during varying harvest conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a fan which is used to accelerate the crop... an air stream is used to accelerate
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a forage harvester (10) with a conveying channel (1) for conveying crop material, which is arranged downstream of a chopping device (7) for the crop material in a conveying direction of the crop material, wherein the conveying channel (1) comprises a secondary accelerator (11) which, in a grass harvesting arrangement, is arranged in an acceleration position in which it is inserted into the conveying channel (1) and is provided for accelerating the crop material, and wherein, in a maize harvesting arrangement, a conditioner is included in the conveying channel, which, in the grass harvesting arrangement, is not arranged in the conveying channel (1), and wherein the forage harvester in the maize harvesting arrangement comprises a blower that serves to accelerate the crop material. The present invention further relates to a method for conveying crop material, in particular maize, in a conveying channel (1), particularly of such a forage harvester (10).The present invention further relates to the use of a blower for generating an airflow for accelerating crop material in a maize harvesting arrangement of a forage harvester (10), and to the use of a blower for generating an airflow in a forage harvester.