Pivoting Grain Unloader Boot for Combine Harvester Spillage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current grain unloading systems from combine harvesters face inefficiencies due to directability issues with long auger tubes and excessive grain spillage through dribbling, often requiring complex and ineffective adjustments or additional parts.
Innovation Solution
A pivotably attached discharge boot with a spherical joint at the end of the auger tube, controlled by a piston and cylinder linkage, allows for directional adjustment and automatic grain saving by pivoting up when unloading is stopped, preventing spillage through a dam impingement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If prior art devices with many moving parts and complex operations are used to adjust discharge direction, then directional control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge system is segmented into a fixed auger tube and a movable boot assembly. The boot can be detached and repositioned at different locations along the tube, allowing directional adjustment without complex mechanical linkages. This segmentation simplifies the overall device while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The boot is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be repositioned dynamically along the auger tube to change discharge direction. This dynamic repositioning capability provides adaptability without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If simple elongated spout attachments are used for direction adjustment, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to sensitivity to movement and difficulty to control
Solution Approach 1:
The boot is designed as a separable component that can be easily attached and detached from the auger tube at multiple positions. This segmentation allows for simple assembly while providing stable, controlled discharge direction through proper positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The boot is designed as a simple, replaceable component rather than a complex adjustable mechanism. Its simplicity makes it easy to manufacture and install, while its stable attachment provides reliable control without the sensitivity issues of complex mechanisms.
3Productivity
If long auger tubes are used to keep pace with increasing header width, then productivity is improved, but directability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge system is divided into the fixed long auger tube and the movable boot. This segmentation allows the tube to maintain its length for high productivity while the boot provides the directional control that would be difficult to achieve with a long, fixed discharge point.
Solution Approach 2:
The boot can be repositioned dynamically along the long auger tube to adjust discharge direction. This dynamic capability compensates for the reduced directability inherent in long tubes, maintaining adaptability while preserving productivity.
4Loss of substance
If shutters, doors, or valves are added to prevent grain dribbling, then grain loss is reduced, but device complexity increases with ancillary moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The boot is designed to be removable, allowing operators to perform preliminary cleaning of the auger tube before detaching the boot. This preliminary action prevents grain dribbling without requiring additional shutters, doors, or valves.
Solution Approach 2:
The boot can be completely removed from the auger tube, extracting the grain retention function from the main system. This eliminates the need for complex dribble-proofing mechanisms while still preventing grain loss through proper removal and cleaning procedures.
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
Enables precise directional control of grain unloading without complex adjustments, reduces grain loss by preventing dribbling, and minimizes maintenance needs with a simple, efficient mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
The directional movement of the boot is controlled by an actuator such as a piston and cylinder linkage.
Implementation Method 2
a spherical joint element that also seals the junction between the tube and the boot
Implementation Method 3
Unloading of grain from combine harvester storage bins, by way of an auger discharging said grain through a tube and spout
Data Source
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AI summary
A pivoting boot (30) is disclosed for attachment to the unloading auger tube (20) of a combine harvester (10), and serves as both a grain saving dam (35) against unwanted grain spillage, and a directable spout (31). The boot (30) permits evenly unloading grain onto, or completely filling, transportation vehicles or storage containers, without having to change the combine position, once it is staged for unloading.