Combine Harvester Grain Pan Lateral Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Axial flow combine harvesters experience uneven distribution of grains and chaff across the grain pan due to the axial position of threshing rotors, leading to suboptimal sieve efficiency, especially when operating on side slopes, and existing solutions like self-levelling systems are complex and prone to malfunction.
Innovation Solution
A combine harvester with a laterally moving grain pan driven by a mechanism that superimposes lateral reciprocating motion onto the longitudinal motion, equipped with sensors to measure and control the grain/chaff layer distribution, eliminating the need for longitudinal partitions and reducing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If axial flow rotors are used for threshing and transport, then two functions are performed by the rotors, but the grains and light chaff are not evenly spread across the width of the harvester
Solution Approach 1:
The grain pan is transformed from a static component to a dynamic one by introducing lateral reciprocating motion. This dynamic movement actively redistributes the grain-chaff mixture across the pan width, counteracting the uneven distribution pattern created by axial flow rotors and maintaining uniform material composition throughout the cleaning process.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral reciprocating motion of the grain pan operates periodically, oscillating back and forth to continuously redistribute material. This periodic action prevents material from settling into fixed uneven patterns, ensuring consistent uniformity of grain and chaff distribution across the pan width during operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If longitudinal partitions are added to the grain pan, then material distribution can be controlled, but the partitions counteract redistribution of W or V profiles caused by axial rotors
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the unnecessary longitudinal partitions from the grain pan structure. Instead of using fixed partitions to control material distribution, the solution extracts this function and achieves it through the lateral reciprocating motion of the entire grain pan, simplifying the structure while maintaining effective material distribution control.
Solution Approach 2:
The static mechanical partition system is replaced with a dynamic motion-based system. Rather than using physical barriers (partitions) to guide material flow, the invention uses the kinetic energy of lateral reciprocating motion to achieve material redistribution, eliminating complex structural elements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If self-levelling grain pan systems are used, then side slope effects can be compensated, but the systems are technically complex, expensive and vulnerable to malfunctioning
Solution Approach 1:
The grain pan is equipped with lateral reciprocating motion capability that dynamically adapts to side slope conditions. This dynamic system automatically compensates for gravitational effects on sloped terrain by actively redistributing material during its reciprocating cycle, providing adaptability without requiring complex sensor-based self-levelling mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the grain pan by superimposing lateral motion onto the longitudinal reciprocating motion. This parameter modification enables the grain pan to handle side slope conditions effectively, achieving adaptability through motion control rather than complex mechanical adjustment systems.
4Stability of the object's composition
If lateral reciprocating motion is superimposed on longitudinal motion, then uniform distribution of grains and chaff is achieved, but the drive mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism merges the longitudinal reciprocating motion and lateral reciprocating motion into a single integrated system. By combining these two motion components, the invention achieves uniform material distribution while minimizing the increase in drive mechanism complexity through coordinated rather than separate actuation systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
A combine harvester includes one or more threshing rotors (5) mounted in the harvester, a grain pan (7) and a set of sieves (8), and a drive mechanism configured to drive a longitudinal reciprocating motion of the grain pan (7) and superimpose a lateral reciprocating motion component on the longitudinal reciprocating motion.