Harvester Cleaning Sub-Assemblies with Independent Fan Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cleaning assemblies for harvesters face challenges in efficiently controlling the cleaning operation along the crop flow direction and optimizing the use of available area for active cleaning elements, leading to suboptimal cleaning performance due to varying crop composition and airflow distribution.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning assembly with multiple separately controllable sub-assemblies, each comprising a fan, reciprocating sieves, and a clean grain auger, coupled with a control system that adjusts fan and sieve operations based on real-time harvesting conditions, allowing for optimized airflow and sieve settings to adapt to changing crop composition and reduce grain loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single fan is used to provide airflow to the sieve assembly, then the device complexity is reduced, but the airflow distribution along the crop flow direction becomes uneven and suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning assembly is divided into multiple independently controllable sub-assemblies, each with its own fan and sieve assembly. This segmentation allows each sub-assembly to be optimized for local cleaning conditions along the crop flow direction, resolving the contradiction by accepting increased device complexity to achieve superior airflow distribution and cleaning performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Each sub-assembly is equipped with its own fan and sieve assembly, enabling localized control of airflow and cleaning parameters along the crop flow direction. This local quality approach allows optimization of airflow distribution in different regions, improving overall cleaning performance despite increased device complexity.
2Productivity
If multiple fans are used to improve airflow distribution, then the cleaning performance improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into multiple sub-assemblies, each with its own fan and sieve assembly. This segmentation enables independent control of airflow in different regions along the crop flow direction, improving cleaning performance while allowing flexible configuration to manage device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each fan in the multiple sub-assemblies can be independently controlled and adjusted dynamically based on local cleaning conditions. This dynamic control capability allows optimization of airflow distribution to improve cleaning performance while managing overall system complexity through intelligent control rather than fixed complex architecture.
3Area of stationary object
If the sieve assembly is positioned far from the fan outlet, then the airflow can cover a larger area, but the airflow pressure and effectiveness decrease along the crop flow direction
Solution Approach 1:
The sieve assembly is divided into multiple segments (sub-assemblies) positioned at different locations along the crop flow direction, each with its own fan. This segmentation allows each segment to maintain optimal airflow pressure for its local area while collectively covering a larger overall area, resolving the contradiction between coverage area and airflow pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-point airflow generation to a distributed multi-point airflow generation along the crop flow direction. This dimensional change from one location to multiple locations along the flow path enables simultaneous achievement of large coverage area and maintained airflow pressure through strategically positioned sub-assemblies.
4Productivity
If a large grain pan is used to cover the fan outlet area, then the airflow distribution can be improved, but the area available for active cleaning elements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning assembly is segmented into multiple sub-assemblies distributed along the crop flow direction, each with its own fan and sieve assembly. This segmentation eliminates the need for a large grain pan to cover the entire fan outlet area, as each sub-assembly handles airflow distribution for its local region. Consequently, more area is available for active cleaning elements while maintaining effective airflow distribution.
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 enhances flexibility and efficiency in the cleaning operation by allowing independent control of each sub-assembly, optimizing airflow and sieve performance, and reducing the need for compromise settings, resulting in improved grain separation and reduced energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a fan for generating a flow of air that cooperates with a sieve assembly
Implementation Method 2
a sieve assembly comprising reciprocating sieves longitudinally extending along the direction of the crop flow
Implementation Method 3
the clean grain can fall through these openings and the airflow can pass these openings for blowing impurities and chaff
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention concerns a cleaning assembly (1 ) for a harvester operable to clean a crop while moving along a direction of the crop flow (C) and comprising multiple cleaning sub-assemblies (2, 3). A control system (100) is coupled to each of the cleaning sub-assemblies (2, 3) and operable to control the operation of each of the cleaning sub-assemblies (2, 3) in function of separate cleaning sub-assembly control settings for each of the cleaning sub-assemblies (2, 3).