Multi-layer Adjustable Disc Cutter for Ratooning Rice Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ratooning rice harvesters face inefficiencies due to high stubble rolling rates and power waste when harvesting ratooning rice, as they are not optimized for the specific stubble height and require additional equipment like straw pulverizing devices, leading to increased weight and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A ratooning rice harvesting header equipped with a multi-layer adjustable disc cutter and ear cutter, where the disc cutter is mounted below the header and includes multiple layers of vertically arranged blades with opposite rotation directions, allowing for precise cutting between ear cutting height and stubble height, reducing power consumption and eliminating the need for a straw pulverizing device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ordinary full-feeding rice harvesters are used for first season harvest, then the harvester can complete the harvesting operation, but 45% to 50% of rice stubbles will be rolled and power is wasted due to mismatched structural and motion parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the cutting bar height adjustable during operation. The cutting bar can be dynamically adjusted to different heights (20-40cm) depending on whether it's used for first season or second season harvesting, allowing the harvester to adapt to different stubble height requirements and avoid rolling stubbles while maintaining high harvesting efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key parameters including cutting bar height (adjustable between 20-40cm), wheel tread width (adjustable between 1200-1600mm), and wheel type (narrow paddy field wheels with specific ground contact pressure of 0.03-0.06MPa). These parameter changes enable the harvester to optimize performance for ratooning rice harvesting, reducing stubble rolling rate from 45-50% to below 10%
2Object-affected harmful factors
If narrow wheels for paddy fields are used to reduce stubble rolling rate, then the rolling rate decreases, but ground contact pressure increases causing the harvester to sink in deep muddy areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes wheel parameters by using narrow paddy field wheels with specific ground contact pressure controlled at 0.03-0.06MPa. The wheel tread width is adjustable between 1200-1600mm, allowing the harvester to maintain low ground contact pressure to prevent sinking in muddy fields while still achieving low stubble rolling rates through proper cutting height adjustment
3Reliability
If the harvester is equipped with heavy-duty components to handle various production situations, then the bearing capacity increases, but the harvester requires frequent grain unloading reducing working efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the grain tank capacity adjustable. The grain tank can be configured with different capacities (2000-5000L) depending on field conditions and harvest volume, allowing the harvester to optimize between bearing capacity and working efficiency by adjusting unloading frequency to match actual production needs rather than being constrained by fixed tank size
4Adaptability or versatility
If straw pulverizing devices are added to the harvester, then the capability to handle stalks improves, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the stalk cutting function from the main harvester body by using a separate, adjustable cutting bar positioned below the header. This cutting bar with adjustable height (20-40cm) and configurable blade arrangement handles stalk cutting independently, eliminating the need for complex integrated straw pulverizing devices while maintaining versatility for different crop types and heights
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 multi-layer adjustable disc cutter effectively cuts stalks to the required stubble height, reducing power consumption, minimizing stubble rolling, and enabling efficient harvesting with a lightweight design, adaptable to various crop heights and types, including ratooning, single-crop, and double-crop rice.
Implementation Method 1
each of the multi-layer disc cutting assemblies includes three layers of vertically arranged blades, and blade rotation directions of the two of the multi-layer disc cutting assemblies are opposite to each other
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a ratooning rice harvesting header and a harvester including the same. The ratooning rice harvesting header includes a multi-layer adjustable disc cutter, a header, and an ear cutter. The multi-layer adjustable disc cutter is mounted below the header and located below a rear portion of the ear cutter. The ear cutter is mounted at a front end of the header. The multi-layer adjustable disc cutter includes at least one group of multi-layer disc cutting assemblies. Each group of multi-layer disc cutting assemblies includes two multi-layer disc cutting assemblies. Each of the multi-layer disc cutting assemblies includes three layers of vertically arranged blades. The use of the multi-layer adjustable disc cutter in cooperation with the ear cutter can reduce the straw-grain ratio of the part cut from the crops to reduce the power consumption of the harvester.