Combine Harvester Sieve Segmentation for Grain Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combine harvesters face challenges in efficiently separating large-grain, moist crops due to insufficient removal through sieves, leading to grain loss and backlogs during harvesting.
Innovation Solution
The design of a cleaning device with two sieve areas, where the first sieve area has a greater spacing between slats than the second, allowing for increased separation without compromising cleanliness, and an adjustable actuator system to optimize sieve opening widths and angles for different crop types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the sieve opening width is increased to improve separation of large-grain crops, then the separation efficiency is improved, but the grain cleanliness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sieve is divided into two distinct sieve sections: a first sieve section with larger spacing between slat rows for initial separation of large-grain crops, and a second sieve section with smaller spacing for final cleaning to ensure grain cleanliness. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sieve have different slat spacing characteristics tailored to their specific functions. The first sieve section has larger local spacing to accommodate large-grain separation, while the second sieve section has smaller local spacing for precision cleaning, creating local quality variations that resolve the contradiction between separation efficiency and grain cleanliness.
2Manufacturing precision
If the sieve opening width is decreased to maintain grain cleanliness, then the grain cleanliness is improved, but the separation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sieve is divided into two distinct sieve sections: a first sieve section with larger spacing between slat rows for initial separation of large-grain crops, and a second sieve section with smaller spacing for final cleaning to ensure grain cleanliness. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sieve have different slat spacing characteristics tailored to their specific functions. The first sieve section has larger local spacing to accommodate large-grain separation, while the second sieve section has smaller local spacing for precision cleaning, creating local quality variations that resolve the contradiction between separation efficiency and grain cleanliness.
3Productivity
If the spacing between slat rows is increased to enhance separation area, then the separation efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Both sieve sections are integrated into a single sieve structure that can be adjusted together using one actuator. The adjusting device combines the functionality for both sections, allowing coordinated adjustment of slat rows in both sections while maintaining the different spacing characteristics, thus reducing overall device complexity compared to having separate adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The single actuator serves multiple functions by adjusting slat rows in both the first and second sieve sections simultaneously. This multi-functional approach allows one component to perform the work of what would otherwise require separate adjustment mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to optimize both separation efficiency and grain cleanliness.
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 design enhances grain separation in the first sieve area, reducing grain backflow and tailings, while maintaining cleanliness, and allows for adaptation to various harvest conditions and crop types.
Implementation Method 1
the cleaning device comprises at least one sieve through which air flows
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a combine harvester (1) with a cleaning device (15) to which crop to be cleaned can be fed from a preparation floor (10), wherein the cleaning device (15) comprises at least one air-permeable sieve (13, 14) divided into a first sieve section (22) and a second sieve section (23), wherein the first sieve section (22) extends section by section in the longitudinal direction of the combine harvester (1) starting from the adjacent preparation floor (10), and the second sieve section (23) adjoins the first sieve section (22), wherein the first and second sieve sections (22, 23) extend section by section in the longitudinal direction of the at least one sieve (13, 14) and in the transverse direction substantially over the entire sieve width, wherein the two sieve sections (22, 23) each comprise a plurality of spaced-apart rows of lamellae adjustable by an adjusting device (26). (25A, 25B) for adjusting a sieve opening width,wherein the equidistantly arranged lamella rows (25A) of the first sieve area (22) are arranged at a distance (29) from each other which is greater than a distance (30) at which the equidistantly arranged lamella rows (25B) of the second sieve area (23) are arranged from each other.