Movable Outlet Floor Ramp for Chopper Trajectory Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural harvesters face challenges in efficiently managing crop residue distribution due to variations in chopping aggressiveness and trajectory control, leading to inconsistent spread patterns and reduced residue-spreading effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A chopper with a movable bank of counter-knives and a variable geometry outlet ramp, adjustable via an actuator system, to adjust chopping aggressiveness and trajectory management, ensuring optimal residue distribution to the spreader.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the bank of counter-knives is adjusted to increase chopping aggressiveness, then the chopping effectiveness is improved, but the trajectory control of crop residue becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet floor ramp is made movable between multiple positions to dynamically adjust the trajectory of chopped residue. This allows the system to adapt the residue path based on the chopping aggressiveness level, maintaining consistent trajectory control whether the counter-knives are in high or low aggressiveness positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameter of the outlet floor (its position/angle) to compensate for variations in chopping aggressiveness. By adjusting the ramp position, the trajectory of residue is modified to maintain optimal spread patterns regardless of the counter-knives setting.
2Device complexity
If the outlet floor geometry is fixed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the residue distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet floor incorporates a movable ramp component that can be positioned at multiple angles or locations. This dynamic element allows the same basic structure to achieve different residue distribution patterns, maintaining uniformity without requiring multiple complex fixed geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable ramp serves multiple functions: it controls trajectory, manages distribution uniformity, and adapts to different chopping conditions. This single movable component replaces what would otherwise require multiple different outlet floor designs for different operating conditions.
3Productivity
If the counter-knives bank position is adjusted, then the chopping aggressiveness is improved, but the trajectory of crop residue relative to the spreader becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the relationship between counter-knives position and ramp position as a coordinated feedback mechanism. When the counter-knives are adjusted to a specific aggressiveness level, the ramp is simultaneously positioned to compensate for the resulting trajectory changes, ensuring consistent residue delivery to the spreader.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable ramp dynamically responds to changes in counter-knives position by adjusting its own position. This creates a coordinated system where both components work together to maintain optimal trajectory control across all chopping aggressiveness settings.
Data Source
AI summary
A chopper for an agricultural harvester comprises a housing, a rotor, a bank of counter-knives, and an adjuster. The housing comprises a variable geometry outlet floor. The is positioned in an interior region of the housing for rotation therein relative to the housing. The bank of counter-knives is movable relative to the rotor between a first aggressiveness position and a second aggressiveness position to adjust chopping aggressiveness of the chopper. The outlet floor comprises a ramp movable relative to the rotor between a first ramp position and a second ramp position. The adjuster positions the ramp in the first ramp position when the bank of counter-knives is positioned in the first aggressiveness position and positions the ramp in the second ramp position when the bank of counter-knives is positioned in the second aggressiveness position.