Longitudinal Pivoting Drive for Harvester Sieve Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing screening devices in harvesting machines, such as combine harvesters, face issues where the adjusting device protrudes into the material flow, causing blockages and inaccurate grain residue analysis due to its transverse orientation, which obstructs knock sensors and complicates maintenance.

Innovation Solution

The screening device incorporates a longitudinal pivoting drive with a linear element and a rotary element, allowing for a translational movement to be converted into a rotational movement, enabling the adjusting device to be aligned parallel to the harvesting machine's longitudinal axis, thus avoiding blockages and improving sensor reliability and maintenance accessibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the adjusting device is arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis of the screening device, then the lamellae can be adjusted to change passage cross-sections, but the adjusting device protrudes into the material flow causing blockages and obstructing knock sensors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment of passage cross-sectionsVSAvoidblockages in material flow and sensor obstruction
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The adjusting device is reoriented from a transverse arrangement (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis) to a longitudinal arrangement (parallel to the longitudinal axis), effectively changing the spatial dimension and orientation of the device. This dimensional change allows the adjusting device to be positioned within the central profile without protruding into the material flow path, thereby eliminating blockages and sensor obstructions while maintaining adjustment functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the adjusting device protrudes into the rear space of the screening device, then the lamellae can be adjusted, but maintenance becomes complicated and the device obstructs the rear space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment of lamellaeVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The adjusting device is repositioned from a transverse orientation that protrudes into the rear space to a longitudinal orientation that fits within the central profile. This spatial reconfiguration provides adequate clearance in the rear space, allowing maintenance personnel to access and service the screening device without obstruction from the adjusting mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the adjusting device is positioned to allow lamellae adjustment, then passage cross-sections can be changed, but the device complexity increases due to the transmission mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of passage cross-sectionsVSAvoidtransmission mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The longitudinal pivoting drive mechanism serves multiple functions: it converts rotational movement from the motor into linear movement of the adjusting rail, simultaneously adjusts all lamellae in a coordinated manner, and integrates within the central profile structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate adjustment mechanisms for each lamella, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining full adjustability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 configuration minimizes obstruction of the material flow, enhances the accuracy of grain residue analysis, and simplifies maintenance by allowing the adjusting device to remain in place during screen field changes without obstructing the rear space, while providing precise adjustment of passage cross-sections.

Implementation Method 1

the linear element (10) and a rotary element (13), by means of which the translational movement can be converted into a rotational movement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP3400784B1Filter device for a harvester and harvester
Publication Date: 2021.07.21 CLAAS SELBSTFAHRENDE ERNTEMASCHINEN GMBH
  • EP3400784B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3400784B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3400784B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present application relates to a sieving device (1) for a harvesting machine (24), in particular for a combine harvester, especially for separating loose fruit from plant residues, the sieving device (1) comprising at least one sieve frame (2), a plurality of lamellae (3) arranged on the sieve frame (2), and at least one adjusting device (4) for adjusting lamellae (3), wherein the lamellae (3) are arranged on the sieve frame (2) such that they define passage cross-sections (5) for the passage of material from an upper surface (6) of the sieving device (1) to its lower surface (7), wherein at least a plurality of the lamellae (3) interact with the adjusting device (4) such that the sieving positions of the lamellae (3) are changeable, and wherein the passage cross-sections (5) differ depending on whether the lamellae (3) are in different sieving positions.wherein the adjusting device (4) comprises at least one motor (8) and at least one transmission element (9) by means of which a drive power of the motor (8) can be transmitted to the lamellae (3) interacting with the adjusting device (4), so that the sieve positions of the lamellae (3) can be changed. In order to provide a sieving device which, in the course of its use in a harvesting machine, impedes the discharge and examination of unusable plant residues less than is the case in the prior art, it is proposed according to the invention that the adjusting device (4) comprises a linear element (10) and a rotary element (13), wherein the linear element (10) can be set into a translational movement by means of the motor (8) and the translational movement can be converted into a rotational movement of the rotary element (13) by means of the action of complementarily designed threaded sections (14, 15) of the linear element (10) and the rotary element (13).