Harvester Elevator Air Attachment for Billet Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural harvesting machines face challenges in efficiently cleaning sugarcane billet leaf units due to the static nature of the material as it travels along the elevator, leading to inefficiencies in separating unwanted debris from desired crop material.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning and debris management system is introduced, featuring an elevator with multiple sections and transition points, where upward and lateral air sources are strategically located to blow air through billet leaf bundles, separating debris by putting the material into a dynamic state as it moves across the transition points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional axial flow fans are used for cleaning, then the cleaning mechanism is simple, but the cleaning efficiency is insufficient due to the static state of billet leaf units on the elevator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by introducing moving elements (rotating arms with air nozzles) into the cleaning system. The arms rotate to dynamically position air nozzles at different locations along the elevator, transforming the static cleaning approach into a dynamic one that can effectively clean billet leaf units at multiple points during their travel on the elevator.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses rotating arms as intermediary carriers that transport air nozzles to different positions. These arms act as mediators between the fixed air source and the moving billet leaf units, enabling flexible positioning of the cleaning mechanism without requiring multiple fixed air sources throughout the elevator.
2Productivity
If more cleaning mechanisms are added to improve cleaning capacity, then debris separation improves, but the system becomes less compact and more energy-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating arms serve multiple functions: they support air nozzles for cleaning, provide structural framework, and enable positioning of cleaning elements at various locations. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve enhanced debris separation capacity without proportionally increasing energy consumption, as the same mechanical structure serves multiple purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple cleaning functions into a single rotating arm assembly that can position air nozzles at different locations along the elevator. Instead of having separate cleaning mechanisms at each position, the system merges these functions into one movable unit, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective debris separation.
3Ease of manufacture
If air nozzles are positioned far from billet leaf units, then the system is simpler to install, but the air force is insufficient to separate debris effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating arms enable the air nozzles to dynamically approach the billet leaf units at optimal positions during rotation. This dynamic positioning allows the system to achieve effective air force application without requiring complex fixed positioning structures, balancing installation simplicity with effective debris separation.
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
The system effectively separates debris from billet leaf bundles by introducing dynamic airflow, enhancing the cleaning capacity of traditional harvester systems and reducing billet loss, while also being more compact and energy-efficient compared to traditional fan systems.
Implementation Method 1
The upward air source is configured to blow air through the billet leaf bundles from beneath as the billet leaf bundles move across the transition point
Implementation Method 2
The lateral air source can blow air across the billet leaf bundles while the billet leaf bundles are airborne at the transition point to spread out the billet leaf bundles and separate and remove debris
Implementation Method 3
The elevator can cause the billet leaf bundles to become airborne as the billet leaf bundles move across the transition point from the first section to the second section
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning and debris management system that separates debris from billet leaf bundles in a harvester. The system includes an elevator and one or more air sources. The elevator includes first and second sections that meet at transition points. The air sources include upward and lateral sources located at the transition points to blow air through the bundles as they move across the transition points from the first to the second section. The air blown by the air sources spreads out the bundles and separates the debris. The elevator can cause the bundles to become airborne at the transition points, and the air sources can blow air through the airborne bundles. The system can include a hood where an air source blows air into a base and out an outlet of the hood to blow some of the debris out of the outlet.