Oscillating Radiator Screen Cleaning for Rectangular Farm Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiator screens in agricultural machinery are prone to clogging due to contaminants like dust and crop residues, and existing cleaning systems are inadequate for rectangular screens, disrupting airflow and compromising cooling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A radiator screen assembly with a frame, screen, and a cleaning unit featuring a translationally displaceable runner unit driven by an actuator and coupling lever, allowing oscillating movement to cover the screen surface effectively, combined with a suction unit and shielding element to manage airflow and contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rotational suction unit is used to clean the screen, then the cleaning mechanism can be driven rotationally, but it becomes impossible to adequately clean a rectangular screen
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the static rotational movement into dynamic oscillating translational movement. The suction unit moves back and forth in the longitudinal direction and up and down in the lateral direction, adapting to the rectangular geometry of the screen while maintaining effective cleaning coverage.
2Device complexity
If the suction unit is suspended in front of a central area of the screen, then the cleaning mechanism can be positioned centrally, but it disrupts the air flow that is normally the strongest there
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the screen cleaning task into multiple zones by positioning the suction unit at the lateral edge rather than the center. This allows the strongest central airflow to remain undisturbed while the suction unit cleans the edge areas where airflow is naturally weaker.
3Ease of operation
If drive components or suspension components of the cleaning unit are present, then the cleaning mechanism can be actuated and positioned, but they impair the tightness of the assembly allowing contaminated air to pass through
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the drive and suspension components from the screen assembly proper, positioning them on the rear side of the screen. This separation allows the front side to maintain tight sealing against the screen surface while the components are accessible from the rear for actuation and maintenance.
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 ensures thorough cleaning of rectangular radiator screens without disrupting airflow, maintaining cooling efficiency by effectively removing contaminants and minimizing the risk of clogging.
Implementation Method 1
a suction unit which uses negative pressure to extract dirt from the radiator screen
Data Source
AI summary
A radiator screen assembly for an agricultural machine includes a frame, a screening chamber which is at least partially surrounded by the frame, a screen arranged in the screening chamber, a cleaning unit which cleans the screen, and a drive unit. The screening chamber has cooling air passed therethrough. The cleaning unit has a runner unit(s) mounted on the frame to be translationally displaceable along a running direction and to extend transversely to the running direction. The drive unit oscillates the runner unit(s) in the running direction. The drive unit includes an actuator and a coupling lever having a runner arm(s). The coupling lever pivots about a pivot axis of a coupling which is stationary relative to the frame and which is coupled to the actuator in a drive-transmitting manner. The runner arm(s) of the coupling lever is coupled to the runner unit(s) in a drive-transmitting manner.