Harvester Sieve Side Structure for Low-Friction Wire Support
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing sieves in agricultural harvesters experience wear and tear due to the rotation of wires in holes of plate steel, leading to reduced operational life.
Innovation Solution
A sieve design featuring extruded metal side members with a partially open elongate channel and a polymeric strip having aligned holes for increased surface area and low friction, which rotatably carry the wires, enhancing the operational life of the louvres.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If wires are rotated in holes of plate steel, then the sieve structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the wires experience wear and tear leading to reduced operational life
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite structure combining a polymeric strip with metal side members. The polymeric strip provides low-friction surfaces for wire rotation, while the metal side members provide structural strength. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by introducing a material with superior wear properties without significantly increasing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the surface properties of the holes by lining them with a polymeric material that has low friction characteristics. This parameter change in surface friction directly reduces wear on the rotating wires, extending their operational life while maintaining the basic sieve structure.
2Reliability
If wires are rotated in holes of plate steel, then the manufacturing process is simple, but friction and wear increase reducing wire durability
Solution Approach 1:
The polymeric strip is manufactured separately and then integrated with the metal side members, allowing each component to be optimized for its specific function. The polymeric strip can be extruded or molded with precision, while the metal side members provide structural support, achieving both durability and manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymeric strip acts as an intermediary between the metal side members and the rotating wires. It provides a low-friction interface that protects the wires from direct contact with metal, reducing wear and improving durability while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular assembly.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If extruded metal side members with polymeric strip are used, then friction is reduced and wire life is extended, but the device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The side members are segmented into distinct functional zones: the metal extrusion provides structural support, while the integrated polymeric strip provides the low-friction surface. This segmentation of functions within a single component reduces overall device complexity compared to using separate metal and polymeric parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The extruded metal side member with integrated polymeric strip creates a composite structure where both materials work together synergistically. The metal provides strength and the polymer provides low friction, achieving extended operational life without requiring complex assembly of multiple separate components.
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 design increases the operational life of the wires by reducing friction and wear, thus improving the durability and efficiency of the sieving process.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of aligned holes are formed through the strip and side members to carry the sieve wires with increased surface area and decreased friction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A sieve (48, 50) for use in an agricultural harvester (10) includes a framework (102) with a pair of opposed side members (104). A plurality of overlapped louvres (112) extend between the pair of opposed side members (112) and are overlapped relative to each other. The opposed side members (104) are each comprised of an extruded metal side member with a partially open elongate channel (116) having a predefined cross section, and a polymeric strip (124) having a mating cross section carried within the elongate channel (116).