Lateral Grain Tank Extension for Combine Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combine grain tanks face challenges with a high center of gravity due to upward extensions, leading to decreased steering capabilities and limited additional volume, as existing solutions primarily extend the tank upward, which restricts the base surface area and volume expansion.
Innovation Solution
A grain tank design with side walls and covers that can be adjusted between retracted and extended positions, allowing for a ring-shaped extension that increases the tank's volume without significantly raising the center of gravity, featuring a support frame with adjustable side walls and covers that extend outward and upward, and flexible end face walls connected by springs or expander ropes for defined folding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the grain tank is extended upward to increase volume, then the storage capacity is improved, but the center of gravity rises which decreases steering capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical extension to lateral extension by pivoting side walls outward from a retracted position (against the support frame) to an extended position (outward and upward at an angle). This dimensional change allows volume increase while keeping the center of gravity lower, as the extension occurs primarily in the horizontal direction rather than vertically upward.
2Volume of moving object
If the grain tank is extended upward to increase volume, then the storage capacity is improved, but the base surface area remains limited
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending upward which only increases height, the patent extends the side walls outward laterally. The side walls pivot about horizontal axes to move from a vertical retracted position to an extended position where they extend outward and upward at an angle, thereby increasing both the base surface area and the overall volume of the grain tank.
3Volume of moving object
If the side walls are extended outward to increase volume, then the storage capacity is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The side walls are designed as movable elements that can pivot between retracted and extended positions. The adjustment drives provide controlled movement, allowing the grain tank volume to be dynamically changed during operation. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt between transportation mode (retracted) and harvesting mode (extended), managing the trade-off between volume and complexity through conditional deployment.
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 significantly enlarges the grain tank's volume and base plane area while maintaining a lower center of gravity, enhancing operational stability and capacity without exceeding road regulations.
Implementation Method 1
The end face walls, on either side, are connected to each other by means of a spring or expander rope in order to provide a defined folding.
Data Source
AI summary
A combine (10) includes a support frame (12) that can be moved across a field in a forward operating direction and a grain tank (42) fastened to it. The grain tank (42) is provided with side walls (58) that can be moved by means of an adjusting drive (68) between a retracted position for operation on public roads and for the storage of the combine (10) and an extended position for the harvesting operation. Each side wall (58) is connected in the upward direction with a cover (84) that is a component of a ring-shaped grain tank extension. The grain tank extension can be moved between an extended position in which it forms a ring that enlarges the grain tank (42) in the upward direction, and a retracted position, in which it encloses the grain tank (42) in the upward direction.