Offset Throw Paddles for Combine Harvester Straw Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing combine harvester designs often experience conveying problems due to high air pressure and gaps between the straw chopper and blower, leading to unsatisfactory performance in distributing crop residues.

Innovation Solution

A harvested crop residue chopping and distribution arrangement featuring a straw chopper with throwing paddles that extend only partially along the axial dimension of the blower, allowing for improved air permeability and efficient distribution of crop residues without affecting conveying capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the throwing paddles extend over the entire axial dimension of the blower, then the conveying capacity for crop residues is maximized, but the air pressure builds up excessively and causes conveying problems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveying capacityVSAvoidair pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The throwing paddles are segmented axially by dividing them into multiple sections along the axial direction. This segmentation creates gaps between the paddle sections that allow air to escape, reducing air pressure buildup while maintaining the overall conveying capacity through the distributed paddle structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the throwing paddles have different axial positions, creating local variations in the structure. The paddles are offset axially relative to each other, which creates localized gaps for air escape while maintaining effective crop residue conveying in other regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-generated harmful factors

If gaps remain between the straw chopper outlet and the blower, then air can escape freely, but crop residues are not conveyed away effectively due to high air pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair pressureVSAvoidconveying capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The throwing paddles act as an intermediary structure between the straw chopper outlet and the blower. They partially block the gaps to maintain conveying pressure for crop residues while incorporating axial segmentation that provides controlled air escape paths, thus mediating between the need for pressure and the need for air venting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If the throwing paddles are offset axially, then air permeability is improved and air can flow out, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair pressureVSAvoidpaddle structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The throwing paddles are divided into multiple axially offset segments, with each segment positioned at a different axial location. This segmentation improves air permeability by creating gaps between segments while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be manufactured as a unified component or assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 enhances the distribution of crop residues by allowing air to flow out through gaps between the paddles, reducing air pressure issues and ensuring effective distribution across the field.

Implementation Method 1

the throwing fan has throwing paddles which can be set in rotation about an axis of rotation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

allowing air to flow out through gaps between the paddles, reducing air pressure issues

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2286654B1Harvested goods remnant shredder and distribution assembly for a combine harvester
Publication Date: 2012.03.14 DEERE & CO
  • EP2286654B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2286654B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2286654B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The arrangement has an impeller blower arranged downstream of a straw shredder, where the impeller blower has two throw paddles (102, 102') rotatable about an axis of rotation (108). The throw paddles extend in the axial direction only over a part of the axial dimension of the impeller blower. The throw paddles are offset at an angle in the circumferential direction and are respectively arranged offset in the axial direction. An axial end of each throw paddle terminates flush with the impeller blower.