Gathering Chain Lateral Extensions for Row Crop Kernel Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional corn harvesting systems experience kernel loss due to the action of stalk rolls and gathering chains, which causes ears of corn to break and kernels to fall, reducing yield and profitability.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a gathering chain assembly with lateral extensions, such as paddles or bristle blocks, that extend outwardly from the gathering chains to create a continuous conveying surface, effectively capturing kernels and preventing them from falling by closing off the path of travel, thereby reducing kernel loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional gathering chains with outwardly extending lugs are used to draw cornstalks into the row unit, then the cornstalks are effectively gathered and conveyed, but the action of the gathering chains causes ears of corn to break and kernels to fall to the ground, reducing yield
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of converting harm into benefit by using the lateral extensions (paddles or bristle blocks) to capture the kernels that would otherwise be lost to the ground. The harmful action of the gathering chains that causes ear breaking is transformed into a beneficial process where the lateral extensions intercept and convey the fallen kernels back into the header, thus converting the harmful kernel loss into a benefit by recovering those kernels.
Solution Approach 2:
The gathering chain is segmented by adding lateral extensions (paddles or bristle blocks) that extend outwardly from the chain links. This segmentation creates multiple capture surfaces along the gathering chain, allowing different sections to independently capture kernels at various points along the path of travel, thereby reducing overall kernel loss through distributed collection points.
2Loss of substance
If the slot between stripper plates is kept narrow to prevent kernels from falling through, then kernel loss through the slot is reduced, but the path of travel for cornstalks is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by extending the gathering chains laterally outwardly from the original planar path into a three-dimensional configuration. The lateral extensions (paddles or bristle blocks) create additional spatial dimensions for kernel capture, allowing kernels to be intercepted from a wider area and conveyed upward, thereby compensating for the restricted slot width and maintaining ease of stalk passage while reducing kernel loss.
3Loss of substance
If lateral extensions are added to gathering chains to create a continuous conveying surface, then kernel capture is improved and kernel loss is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral extensions (paddles or bristle blocks) serve multiple functions: they act as gathering surfaces to capture kernels, provide a conveying surface to transport kernels upward, and maintain the structural integrity of the gathering chain assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate kernel recovery mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving reduced kernel loss.
4Productivity
If the gathering chains rotate at high speed to effectively convey cornstalks, then harvesting productivity is improved, but the mechanical action causes more ear breaking and kernel loss
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral extensions (paddles or bristle blocks) are positioned to create a preliminary protective barrier before kernels can fall to the ground. As the gathering chains rotate at high speed, the lateral extensions预先 establish a continuous conveying surface that intercepts kernels at the moment of detachment, preventing them from falling and being lost, thus allowing high-speed operation without proportionally increased kernel loss.
Data Source
AI summary
Gathering chains for row crop harvester heads which improve yield by minimizing the loss of kernels that may prematurely break loose and be lost to the ground. The gathering chains include continuous loops with a plurality of lateral extension segments which provide a substantially continuous conveying surface extending substantially across the width of the slot defining the path of travel of the row crop entering the row unit.