Combine Grain Tank Inlet Control With Toggle Lever Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grain tank unloading devices for combine harvesters face challenges with incomplete crop flow interruption, requiring significant force to initiate emptying due to grain weight, and restricted flow through toothed sections.
Innovation Solution
A grain tank unloading device with adjustable inlet openings using a toggle lever mechanism, allowing continuous adjustment of opening width from 0% to 100% through a cover plate movable via an actuator, minimizing force requirement and optimizing material flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the second auger cover is moved longitudinally to adjust inlet opening width, then the opening width can be adjusted, but a considerable force is required due to the weight of the crop resting on it
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet opening is divided into multiple adjustable segments by introducing a first auger cover with rectangular recesses and a second auger cover with toothed sections. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each section's opening width while distributing the grain weight across multiple support points, reducing the force required to move each individual cover.
Solution Approach 2:
The toothed sections on the second auger cover act as intermediaries between the grain flow and the cover structure. These toothed sections engage with the grain mass to provide mechanical advantage, reducing the force required to move the cover while maintaining control over the inlet opening width adjustment.
2Ease of operation
If the toothed sections are used between rectangular cutouts to restrict crop flow, then flow control is achieved, but the flow of crop to the auger below is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The toothed sections are designed to be movable relative to the rectangular cutouts, allowing dynamic adjustment of the inlet opening width. This dynamic configuration enables the system to adapt between flow control modes (when toothed sections are engaged) and maximum flow modes (when toothed sections are retracted), optimizing both control capability and productivity.
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
Ensures complete and efficient unloading with reduced operational force, adaptable to varying crop types and harvesting conditions, preventing material disruption and drive train overload.
Implementation Method 1
the adjustment mechanism comprises at least one toggle lever mechanism by which the at least one cover plate is continuously movable relative to the auger cover in order to change the opening width of the at least one inlet opening
Implementation Method 2
the adjustment mechanism can comprise at least one actuator, which is designed as a linear actuator
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a grain tank unloading device for a combine harvester (1) with a grain tank (7), wherein the grain tank unloading device has at least one auger (9) arranged at the bottom (8) of the grain tank (7), which is partially covered by at least one auger cover (11) so that at least one inlet opening (12) remains, through which grain passes to the auger (9) below, wherein the at least one inlet opening (12) can be covered by at least one cover plate (13) which is movable relative to the auger cover (11) by means of an adjusting mechanism (15), wherein the adjusting mechanism (15) comprises at least one toggle lever mechanism (16) by means of which the at least one cover plate (13) is continuously movable relative to the auger cover (11) in order to change the opening width of the at least one inlet opening (12).