Pivotable Regulator for Even Crop Residue Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural combines face challenges in evenly distributing crop residue across a field due to the limitations of existing residue spreader systems, which often result in uneven distribution, especially in the presence of side winds, leading to issues such as temperature and moisture gradients, uneven crop growth, and functional problems with tillage and planting equipment.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable spreader assembly with a regulator that can pivot and adjust its position to ensure even distribution of crop residue, capable of discharging the residue in various directions relative to the combine's travel direction, and featuring adjustable vanes and air curtains to shield against crosswinds, allowing for uniform residue distribution across the field.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If vertical spreader systems are used to spread crop residue, then the residue can be spread across a wide area, but the distribution becomes uneven in the sidewardly direction due to crosswinds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespread widthVSAvoiddistribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The regulator is made pivotable about a vertical axis, allowing it to be dynamically adjusted fore and aft to change the discharge angle. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to adapt to crosswind conditions and maintain uniform distribution while covering wide areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the discharge angle parameter by pivoting the regulator, allowing the residue flow direction to be adjusted relative to the combine's travel direction. This parameter change enables compensation for crosswind effects and achieves uniform sideward distribution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the spreader discharges residue at a fixed angle, then the structure is simple, but the distribution pattern cannot be adjusted to match different cut widths or wind conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregulator structureVSAvoiddistribution pattern adjustability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The regulator is designed with pivotable mounting that allows simple mechanical adjustment fore and aft. This dynamic capability provides adaptability to different cut widths and wind conditions without requiring a complex adjustable mechanism, maintaining structural simplicity while achieving versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Speed

If crosswinds are present during operation, then the combine can maintain forward motion, but the residue distribution becomes uneven and creates harmful effects on crop growth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombine travel speedVSAvoidcrosswind effect on residue distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The regulator is adjusted in advance to counteract the expected crosswind effect by changing the discharge angle. This preliminary adjustment creates a compensating action that offsets the harmful crosswind influence before it can cause uneven distribution, allowing the combine to maintain forward speed while preventing crop growth problems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS8876583B2Regulator of residue flow for spreading devices on agricultural combines

Publication Date: 2014.11.04 BLUE LEAF I P INC

AI summary

An agricultural combine having an adjustable spreader assembly is provided that includes a spreader with one or a pair of regulators. The spreader includes a discharge opening about its lateral side. The regulator is pivotably connected to the lateral side of the spreader such that the regulator is in fluid communication with the discharge opening. The regulator can be configured to move from a retracted position to an extended position or to vary the direction of discharge of crop residue. The spreader can be a vertical spreader, a horizontal spreader, or a spread board.