Harvester Scraper Guide Element for Crop Jam Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing harvesting machines for stalk-like plants often experience crop jams due to plant parts accumulating on scrapers, especially under unfavorable conditions such as soft or dry crops.
Innovation Solution
A machine design featuring a scraper connected to the frame at a distance from its downstream end and a vertically extending guide element with a circular cross-section, positioned downstream of the scraper, which prevents plant accumulation by providing a smooth surface for the crop to fall and be transported away.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a scraper is used to move plant stalks out of the recesses of conveyor elements, then the plant stalks can be conveyed efficiently, but plant parts accumulate on the scraper causing crop jams
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a guide element with a circular cross-section (curved surface) downstream of the scraper. This curved surface prevents plant parts from accumulating on the scraper by providing a smooth, continuous path that guides the crop away, eliminating the flat surfaces where accumulation would occur. The circular geometry ensures no edges or corners where plant material could get stuck.
2Productivity
If the scraper extends fully into the space between conveyor elements, then it effectively moves all plant stalks, but it creates more surface area for plant part accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guide element as an intermediary component positioned downstream of the scraper. This guide element acts as a mediator that receives the plant stalks from the scraper and guides them through the conveying system, preventing direct contact between plant parts and the scraper's downstream surface. The guide element creates a separation that eliminates the harmful accumulation surface while maintaining efficient plant stalk transport.
3Device complexity
If the scraper is connected close to its downstream end, then it minimizes the lever arm for plant movement, but it increases the risk of crop jams at the connection point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions a guide element with circular cross-section immediately downstream of the scraper connection point. This curved guide element eliminates the risk of crop jams at the connection point by providing a smooth, continuous surface that prevents plant parts from accumulating. The circular geometry ensures no edges or corners where plant material could get stuck, even at the scraper's connection point.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The agricultural harvesting machine, for standing crops, has two conveyor units (26) over each other in the frame, with peripheral recesses (28) to hold and move the plant stems. A downstream stripper (44), between the two conveyor units, moves the plant stems out of the recesses to vertical guides (62) with a circular cross section. The guides are at an angle to the plant movement direction, with the lower ends further away from the conveyor units than the upper ends.