Pivoting Baffle Plate for Harvester Chute Blockage Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural harvesting machines, particularly self-propelled forage harvesters, face issues with crop processing and conveying elements becoming clogged due to problematic crops or excessive quantities, leading to blockages that are difficult and time-consuming to clear, causing interruptions in harvesting operations.
Innovation Solution
A pivoting baffle plate mechanism within the crop conveying chute allows for easy removal of blockages by pivoting about a horizontal axis from a closed to an open position, utilizing a gear system actuated by a telescoping mechanism, which can be operated manually or automatically, to prevent clogging and facilitate residue removal without interrupting the harvesting process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed bottom plate is used in the crop conveying chute, then the structure is simple and stable, but blockages cannot be quickly removed and harvesting operations must be interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom plate is transformed from a fixed structure to a movable one by introducing a pivot axis and pivoting mechanism. This allows the bottom plate to dynamically change between closed (for normal operation) and open (for blockage removal) positions, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom plate is segmented from the main housing structure by introducing a pivoting connection. This segmentation allows the bottom plate to be independently moved while the rest of the structure remains intact, enabling quick blockage removal without disassembling the entire device.
2Reliability
If the bottom plate is bolted to the housing, then the structure is stable and secure, but quick access for blockage removal is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between bottom plate and housing is changed from a permanent bolted joint to a dynamic pivoting joint. This maintains structural stability during normal operation while enabling rapid opening for blockage removal, significantly reducing downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom plate is pre-positioned in a closed position that maintains structural integrity, but the pivoting mechanism is pre-configured to allow rapid opening when needed, eliminating the need for time-consuming bolt loosening.
3Productivity
If crop residues remain in the crop conveying chute, then the structure remains intact, but they dry out and cause problems in subsequent harvesting operations
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom plate is designed to be periodically opened to remove accumulated crop residues. This periodic cleaning action prevents residues from drying and causing blockages, ensuring continuous productive operation without compromising structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables easy self-cleaning by allowing operators to quickly open the bottom plate and remove residues. This simple self-service capability prevents the accumulation of harmful residues that would otherwise disrupt subsequent operations.
4Ease of operation
If motor-driven reversing devices are used to solve blockages, then some blockages can be cleared, but they require a lot of time and cause longer interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex motor-driven reversing mechanisms that take time to operate, the invention uses a simple pivoting bottom plate that can be quickly opened to physically remove blockages. This dramatically reduces interruption time while maintaining effective blockage clearing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the blockage removal function from the complex motor-driven reversing system and implements it through a separate, simple pivoting bottom plate mechanism. This allows blockages to be directly accessed and removed without time-consuming reversing operations.
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 enables quick and efficient removal of blockages and residues, reducing downtime in harvesting operations by providing a large outlet for deposits to fall out, preventing damage to subsequent processing elements, and ensuring continuous operation.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one gear element is designed as a telescoping actuator that is designed in the simplest case as a hydraulic motor or as an electric and/or electronic linear motor
Implementation Method 2
The at least one gear element is designed as a telescoping actuator that is designed in the simplest case as a hydraulic motor or as an electric and/or electronic linear motor
Implementation Method 3
the pivot axis for pivoting the guide plate is located at its upper end, so that in the event of blockages, the harvested crop accumulating in the lower area of the conveyor shaft in the ascending crop conveyor shaft due to gravity can fall out of the crop conveyor shaft by the shortest possible route
Data Source
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AI summary
The agricultural harvesting machine has a drive unit. A guide plate (24) is located on the base of a crop material conveying chute (21) in the region between a chopper drum (14) and a downstream post-fragmentation device (16). The downstream post-fragmentation device is swiveled vertically around a horizontal pivoted axis from a closed position in an open position, and from an open position to a closed position.