Non-Rectangular Conveyance Pan for Combine Harvester Blockage Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The material conveyance system in combine harvesters faces limitations in increasing capacity without breaching the spatial envelope, leading to a higher risk of blockages due to finite space between overlapping pans, which restricts throughput.
Innovation Solution
A non-rectangular crop material conveyance pan with a longer effective discharge edge, angled with respect to the transverse direction, reduces the risk of blockage by increasing the passage window without expanding the machine's width or height, and enhances pre-stratification by optimizing the distribution of grain and MOG on the stratification pan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the machine width or height is increased to increase capacity, then the material throughput capacity is improved, but the spatial envelope constraints are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge edge is rotated from a transverse orientation to a longitudinal orientation, changing the dimension along which material is discharged. This rotational transformation allows the discharge edge to extend further in the longitudinal direction rather than the transverse direction, effectively increasing the discharge window area without increasing machine width or height, thus resolving the contradiction between throughput capacity and spatial envelope constraints
2Reliability
If the passage window between overlapping pans is increased to reduce blockage risk, then the reliability is improved, but the spatial envelope is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
By rotating the discharge edge to a longitudinal orientation, the discharge window is extended in the longitudinal dimension rather than requiring additional transverse or vertical space. This dimensional transformation increases the effective passage window area for material flow, reducing blockage risk while maintaining the same spatial envelope footprint
3Productivity
If a non-rectangular pan with angled discharge edge is used, then the pre-stratification efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pan is designed with an asymmetric discharge edge that is rotated at an angle relative to the transverse direction. This asymmetric geometry creates different discharge zones (first and second discharge zones) that optimize material flow patterns and enhance pre-stratification efficiency by directing grain and MOG to different areas of the cleaning shoe, while the asymmetry itself is a simple rotational transformation rather than a complex multi-component structure
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
The solution effectively increases material throughput while reducing the risk of blockages and improves pre-stratification efficiency upstream of the cleaning shoe, allowing for more efficient grain separation and cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
A return pan positioned to catch crop material falling from a grain separating apparatus and convey the collected material in a general forward direction
Implementation Method 2
The return pan and/or the stratification pan comprises a corrugated or 'rippled' floor with a saw-tooth profile to assist in conveyance of the crop material in conjunction with the oscillating motion
Implementation Method 3
The return pan and/or the stratification pan comprises a corrugated or 'rippled' floor with a saw-tooth profile to assist in conveyance of the crop material in conjunction with the oscillating motion
Data Source
AI summary
A combine harvester is provided with a conveyance system for transporting crop material discharged by overhead grain separating apparatus to a grain cleaning shoe. The conveyance system comprises a series of oscillating pans which move the grain in a generally longitudinal direction. A return pan conveys the collected material forwardly to a front discharge edge from where the material falls onto a stratification pan below. The stratification pan conveys the collected material rearwardly to a rear discharge edge from where the material falls into the grain cleaning shoe. At least one of the return pan and the stratification pan is non-rectangular and has a non-transverse discharge edge.