Combine Harvester Sieve Box Constriction for Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-propelled combine harvesters face reduced maneuverability and unfavorable steering behavior due to increased weight and larger tire sizes, which are necessary for efficient harvesting but are limited by national legislation and result in ground compaction issues.
Innovation Solution
A sieve box design with a constriction in the tailings section that increases the distance between the tire and the sieve box, allowing for a larger steering angle and reduced turning radius without compromising crop transport efficiency or increasing crop losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If larger diameter tires are used to minimize ground pressure and soil compaction, then soil compaction is reduced, but the steering angle is limited and turning radius increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sieve box is segmented into a sieving section and a return section. The constriction is applied only to the return section, allowing the tire to be positioned closer to the combine body without affecting the sieving function. This segmentation enables the tire to achieve a larger steering angle while maintaining adequate ground clearance and reducing soil compaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The constriction is applied locally to the return section of the sieve box rather than the entire structure. This localized modification allows the tire to be positioned in a specific area where it can steer more freely, while other parts of the sieve box maintain their original dimensions to preserve harvesting efficiency.
2Productivity
If the combine harvester is made larger and heavier to maximize harvesting efficiency, then productivity increases, but maneuverability and steering behavior deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the sieve box into functional sections and applying the constriction only where needed (return section), the design allows larger combine harvesters to maintain better steering characteristics. The segmentation enables selective modification of the structure to improve maneuverability without compromising the overall harvesting capacity.
3Ease of operation
If the sieve box dimensions are reduced to allow larger steering angle, then maneuverability improves, but the volume of the sieving section may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The constriction is applied only to the return section of the sieve box, while the sieving section maintains its full volume and functional dimensions. This local quality approach ensures that the steering angle is improved without reducing the capacity of the sieving section, as the constriction is confined to an area that does not compromise the separation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The sieve box is divided into a sieving section and a return section, with the constriction applied only to the return section. This segmentation allows the sieving section to maintain adequate volume for effective crop separation while the return section is modified to accommodate the tire's steering movement.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a
AI summary
The present invention relates to a sieve box (1) for a combine harvester (9), comprising a housing (10) with a return floor, wherein the housing (10) surrounds an interior space (130), and wherein a grain floor (12) for transporting grains or fruit is arranged in the interior space, the grain floor (12) dividing the interior space (130) into a sieve section (120) arranged above the grain floor (12), and a return section (110) arranged below the grain floor (12) between the grain floor and the return floor (110), and wherein the housing (10) has a constriction (15) in the return section (110). The present invention also relates to a combine harvester (9) with such a sieve box (1).