Pick-up Device Roller Groups for Crop Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pick-up devices for root crops are structurally complex and expensive due to the use of conical rollers, and they lack the ability to adapt their operation to varying degrees of crop soiling, leading to inefficient energy use and cleaning capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A pick-up device with independently controllable roller groups, allowing for adjustable rotational speeds to optimize crop flow and cleaning based on soil conditions, using hydraulic motors and gears for efficient energy use and simplified drive technology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conical rollers are used in the pick-up device, then the crop flow can be directed and cleaned, but the structural complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the rollers from conical (varying diameter) to cylindrical (constant diameter). This parameter change simplifies the roller structure and manufacturing while achieving the same crop flow direction control function through the arrangement and rotation of multiple identical cylindrical rollers.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a single conical roller, the patent segments the crop flow control function across multiple cylindrical rollers (at least two rollers in the second roller group). Each roller contributes to directing and cleaning the crop flow, distributing the functional load and simplifying individual roller design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed rotational speed is used for all rollers, then the drive system is simple, but the cleaning capability cannot be adapted to varying soil conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control by enabling independent rotational speed adjustment for rollers in the second roller group. This allows the system to adapt to varying soil conditions and crop soiling levels by modifying roller speeds in real-time, transforming a static drive system into a dynamic, adaptable one.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different rotational speeds to different roller groups based on their specific functions. The first roller group (pickup rollers) operates at one speed regime while the second roller group (cleaning rollers) operates at adjustable speed regimes, optimizing cleaning performance for local conditions without affecting the entire system uniformly.
3Reliability
If high rotational speed is used for cleaning rollers, then cleaning effectiveness increases, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic speed adjustment of the cleaning rollers (second roller group) based on actual cleaning requirements. When heavy soiling is detected or required, higher speeds are applied to maintain cleaning effectiveness. When light soiling is present, speeds are reduced to minimize energy consumption, optimizing the balance between cleaning performance and energy use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter (rotational speed) of the cleaning rollers from fixed to variable. This allows the system to match roller speed to the actual cleaning demand, reducing energy consumption during light soiling conditions while maintaining high cleaning effectiveness when needed through increased speed.
Data Source
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AI summary
The device (1) has a set of rollers including a roller (5) and another roller, and a transport plane for transporting harvested crops e.g. sugar beets (2), from the rollers to a conveyor. The transport plane is formed by another set of rollers. The latter set of rollers forms two groups of rollers. One group of rollers conveys the harvested crops in a transport direction (A) directed away from a harvest outlet (19) and the other group of rollers conveys the harvested crops in another transport direction (B) directed to the harvest outlet. The rollers are driven or controlled independently.