Pivoting Endless Conveyor for Combine Straw Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current combine designs face limitations in straw throughput due to friction against rigid guide elements and require additional components for operating modes, making it difficult to efficiently convey straw to the straw chopper or deposit it in a swath without blockages.
Innovation Solution
A combine with a rotating endless conveyor system that includes a front and rear deflecting roll and conveyor belt, allowing for pivoting between a swath depositing and chopper position, enabling active straw conveyance in both modes without blockages, using a guide surface to direct straw either onto the ground or into the chopper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If rigid guide elements are used to direct straw, then the structure is simple, but friction limits throughput and causes blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces static rigid guide elements with a dynamic conveyor belt system that can actively move straw forward. The conveyor belt's surface moves in the same direction as straw flow, reducing friction and preventing blockages while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of a single driven conveyor unit.
2Productivity
If cleaning arrangements are increased in length to handle larger capacity, then processing capacity increases, but it becomes more difficult to convey straw from separating arrangement to straw chopper
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt is positioned and configured to serve multiple functions: it receives straw from the separating arrangement, transports it through the cleaning zone, and delivers it to the straw chopper. This single multi-functional component handles straw conveyance throughout the entire processing line, making the system adaptable to increased cleaning arrangement lengths without adding complex conveyance mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If separate chaff spreader is used to distribute chaff and small straw particles, then distribution is effective, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of the chaff spreader and straw chopper into a single integrated unit. The straw chopper is configured to both chop straw and distribute chaff and small straw particles across the field, eliminating the need for a separate chaff spreader while maintaining effective distribution and reducing overall device complexity.
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 system allows seamless exchange between chopper and swath depositing modes by pivoting the conveyor, ensuring uninterrupted straw flow and efficient distribution of chaff and small straw particles into the chopper, eliminating the need for separate spreaders and reducing mechanical complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the attainable throughput is limited by the friction of the harvested crop against the guide elements
Implementation Method 2
The chaff and small straw particles are conveyed by the suction effect of the straw chopper into the straw chopper during the cleaning
Data Source
AI summary
A combine is provided, with a harvested crop processing arrangement with an outlet for straw that is associated with an ejection drum and an endless conveyor arranged between the ejection drum and a straw chopper. In its rear region, the endless conveyor can be pivoted about a horizontal axis extending transverse to the direction of operation between a chopper position and a swath depositing position.