Multi-jacket Cleaning Device for Combine Harvester Crop Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural harvesting machines, particularly combine harvesters, face challenges in achieving a space-saving design for their cleaning devices, which often require large installations and result in significant crop losses due to inefficient separation processes.
Innovation Solution
A multi-jacket structure within the cleaning device, featuring a cylindrical housing with a screw conveyor and air flow mechanisms, allows for multi-stage cleaning, reducing installation space and enhancing separation efficiency by utilizing air guiding elements and centrifugal separation processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a conventional cleaning device with large installation space is used, then the separation process can be performed, but the space requirements are excessive and crop losses occur due to inefficient separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested multi-jacket structure where an inner jacket containing the screw conveyor is positioned within an outer jacket, creating multiple annular chambers. This nesting arrangement enables multi-stage cleaning operations within a compact configuration, improving separation efficiency and reducing crop losses without requiring excessive installation space.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device is segmented into multiple functional zones through the multi-jacket structure, with the inner jacket forming a first annular chamber and the outer jacket forming a second annular chamber. Each chamber performs a stage of the cleaning process, allowing systematic separation of grain from lighter components through controlled air flow and gravity in distinct segments.
2Volume of moving object
If the cleaning device is designed to reduce space requirements, then installation space is minimized, but the separation efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The nested multi-jacket structure allows the patent to maintain comprehensive multi-stage cleaning functionality while minimizing the overall volume occupied by the cleaning device. The inner and outer jackets are arranged concentrically, creating efficient use of space that reduces installation footprint without sacrificing separation efficiency or increasing crop losses.
3Loss of substance
If a single-stage cleaning process is used, then the device structure is simpler, but crop losses increase due to insufficient separation
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning process is divided into multiple stages through the segmented multi-jacket structure, with the first annular chamber performing initial separation and the second annular chamber providing further cleaning. This segmentation of the cleaning process into distinct stages enables more thorough separation of grain from lighter components, reducing crop losses while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-stage linear cleaning process to a multi-stage radial arrangement using the multi-jacket structure. The concentric arrangement of inner and outer jackets creates additional spatial dimensions for separation, allowing crop material to be processed through multiple cleaning stages in a compact radial configuration rather than requiring a lengthy linear arrangement.
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 design significantly reduces crop losses by effectively separating grains from lighter components, minimizing space requirements and optimizing the separation process through controlled air flow and independent conveyor operations.
Implementation Method 1
a suction fan (20) for applying an air flow (LS)
Implementation Method 2
a screw conveyor (12) which is surrounded by a cylindrical jacket (15)
Implementation Method 3
the grain and the lighter non-grain components are separated from each other due to gravity and the air flow
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to an agricultural harvesting machine (1), in particular a combine harvester, with a device (7) for separating harvested crops, comprising: - a cylindrical housing (8); - a cylindrical shell (15) arranged inside the housing (8), at least partially designed as a sieve; - a conveying screw (12) enclosed by the shell (15); and - means (20) for supplying the separating device (7) with an airflow (LS); wherein the shell (15) is surrounded by a cylindrical casing (17) through which the airflow (LS) flows in the longitudinal direction.