Modular Combine Harvester Grain Handling Section
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current combine harvesters lack a versatile and adaptable threshing and separation system, requiring multiple machines for different crops and requiring time-consuming modifications to adjust threshing aggressiveness, limiting operational efficiency and grain quality.
Innovation Solution
A modular grain handling section with a transverse stage, a first rotary stage, and a second rotary stage, allowing configuration as feeding, threshing, or separation stages, with electronically controlled actuators for adaptable crop engaging elements and gratings, enabling quick switching between functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional transverse threshing drum is used, then straw quality for cattle feed is improved, but threshing capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines both transverse and longitudinal threshing drums within a single grain handling section. The transverse drum provides gentle threshing for high straw quality, while the longitudinal drum delivers high threshing capacity. By merging these two previously separate system types into one integrated unit, the patent resolves the contradiction between straw quality and threshing capacity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple combine harvesters are used for different crops, then crop-specific harvesting requirements are met, but operational efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The grain handling section is designed with multi-functional capability to handle different crop types (wheat, corn, rice) and different harvesting conditions. The adjustable crop engaging elements and configurable stage operations allow a single machine to perform multiple specialized functions, eliminating the need for farmers to operate multiple different combine harvesters and thereby improving operational efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If threshing and separation section modifications are made in a workshop, then adaptability to different crops is improved, but time consumption is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamically adjustable components including crop engaging elements with variable orientation and geometry, and configurable threshing/separation stages. These dynamic adjustments can be made quickly in the field rather than requiring time-consuming workshop modifications, allowing the machine to adapt to different crops while minimizing downtime.
4Productivity
If a single rotary threshing drum is used, then threshing capacity is improved, but grain quality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The grain handling section is segmented into multiple functional stages including both transverse and longitudinal drums with different operational characteristics. The transverse drum operates more gently to preserve grain quality, while the longitudinal drum provides high-capacity threshing. This segmentation allows each component to optimize for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between capacity and quality.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention is related to a combine harvester comprising a modular grain handling section for threshing and separating grain kernels from a harvested grain crop. The modular grain handling section comprises a transverse stage, a first rotary stage, and a second rotary stage. The transverse stage comprises a rotatable transverse drum and a transverse concave arranged in parallel thereto, the transverse drum and/or the transverse concave being configurable to selectively operate the transverse stage as either a feeding stage or a threshing stage. The first rotary stage comprises a first end of a rotatable longitudinal drum and a first longitudinal concave arranged in parallel thereto, the first end of the longitudinal drum and/or the first longitudinal concave being configurable to selectively operate the first rotary stage as either a threshing stage or a separation stage. The second rotary stage comprises a second end of the longitudinal drum and a second longitudinal concave arranged in parallel thereto, the second end of the longitudinal drum and the second longitudinal concave being configured to operate the second rotary stage as a separation stage.