Movable Chaffer Sidewalls for Side-Hill Grain Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combine harvesters face challenges in efficiently separating grain from chaff due to accumulation of crop material along lateral walls, particularly when operating on side hills, which affects operational efficiency and agronomic benefits.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating airbags and/or rigid members into the chaffer and sieve of the cleaning system to distribute crop material evenly across the width, using air inflation and vibration to separate grain from chaff, and employing a control system to adjust distribution based on sensor feedback and combine orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cleaning systems are used on uneven terrain, then grain-chaff separation is reduced, but adding airbags or rigid members increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the chaffer side walls movable rather than fixed. Airbags are positioned between the crop material and the side walls, and when inflated, they push the side walls outward to expand the chaffer's working width. This dynamic adjustment allows the cleaning system to adapt to uneven terrain and maintain effective grain-chaff separation across varying ground conditions, resolving the contradiction between separation efficiency and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pneumatics by employing airbags as the actuating mechanism. Compressed air is supplied to the airbags positioned along the side walls of the chaffer. When the airbags are inflated, they exert pressure on the side walls to move them outward, thereby expanding the chaffer's effective working width. This pneumatic system provides a simple yet effective means of adjusting the chaffer configuration to maintain optimal grain-chaff separation on uneven terrain without requiring complex mechanical linkages or hydraulic systems.
2Productivity
If airbags are added to distribute crop material laterally, then harvesting speed increases on hilly terrain, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by controlling the airbags to inflate and deflate in a cyclic manner rather than remaining continuously inflated. The air supply system activates the airbags periodically to push crop material laterally across the chaffer, maintaining even distribution and preventing material buildup on the sides. This periodic operation reduces the overall energy consumption compared to continuous inflation, while still achieving the productivity benefit of faster harvesting on hilly terrain by maintaining optimal material flow.
3Ease of operation
If rigid members with actuators are used instead of airbags, then lateral distribution control improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing complex mechanical actuator systems with a simpler pneumatic system. Instead of using rigid members connected to mechanical actuators (such as motors, linkages, or hydraulic cylinders), the invention uses flexible airbags that respond to compressed air pressure. This substitution achieves the same lateral material distribution control function with significantly reduced mechanical complexity, fewer moving parts, and lower maintenance requirements, while still providing effective control over crop material distribution across the chaffer.
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
Enhances grain-chaff separation efficiency, allowing for faster harvesting in hilly terrain, reducing operator and machine requirements, and improving grain quality with lower fuel consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an air supply configured to inflate at least one of the airbags
Implementation Method 2
a blower configured to direct air rearward and upward through the chaffer
Implementation Method 3
The cleaning air flow tends to force MOG rearward and restricts MOG from falling through the chaffer. The heavier grain falls through the chaffer
Implementation Method 4
vibrating the chaffer to separate the grain from the chaff
Implementation Method 5
Grain and chaff separated in this process falls due to gravity through a grate onto an underlying thresher pan
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning system for a combine harvester has a chaffer and a blower configured to direct air rearward and upward through the chaffer. The chaffer has a perforated base, a plurality of longitudinal lateral walls, and a plurality of airbags, each of which is disposed adjacent to a lateral wall. An air supply is configured to inflate at least one of the airbags. Another cleaning system for a combine harvester also has a chaffer and a blower configured to direct air rearward and upward through the chaffer. The chaffer has a perforated base, a plurality of longitudinal lateral walls, a plurality of rigid members disposed adjacent to a corresponding lateral wall, and at least one actuator configured to move each rigid member relative to the corresponding lateral wall. Related methods are also disclosed.