Reversible Feed Roller Finger Axis Dynamics for Blockage Clearing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Combine harvesters face blockages due to overfeeding of crop material, which can lead to manual intervention for clearing compacted material, and existing solutions do not effectively prevent fingers from retracting too far and causing damage to the auger tube.

Innovation Solution

A reversible feed roller with a finger support assembly that automatically adjusts the finger axis position based on the direction of rotation, using a clutch mechanism driven by the roller's rotation to optimize finger extension and retraction, and an anti-distortion wheel to prevent fingers from retracting into the auger tube.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the roller rotates in reverse direction to back-feed crop material for clearing blockages, then the blockage can be cleared without manual intervention, but the fingers may retract too far and cause damage to the auger tube

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblockage clearing efficiencyVSAvoidfinger alignment and damage prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The finger axis position is dynamically adjusted based on the direction of rotation. During forward rotation, the fingers are positioned for optimal crop engagement. During reverse rotation, the finger axis automatically shifts to a different position that prevents excessive retraction and potential damage to the auger tube, allowing the system to adapt its configuration to the operational mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the positional parameter of the finger axis relative to the roller axis depending on rotation direction. By offsetting the finger axis from the roller axis and allowing it to move between different positions, the system modifies the geometric parameters of finger extension and retraction, ensuring safe operation during reverse rotation while maintaining effectiveness during forward rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the finger axis is offset from the roller axis to optimize finger extension for crop engagement, then the fingers can effectively engage and release the crop, but the fingers may retract too far during reverse rotation causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrop engagement and releaseVSAvoidfinger retraction damage to auger tube

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The finger axis position is made dynamic rather than fixed, allowing it to shift between different offset positions depending on the rotation direction. This dynamic adjustment ensures that during forward rotation, the offset provides optimal crop engagement, while during reverse rotation, the offset position changes to prevent excessive retraction and potential damage to the auger tube.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The geometric parameter of the finger axis offset from the roller axis is changed based on rotation direction. By varying this offset parameter, the system optimizes finger extension for crop engagement during forward rotation while preventing harmful retraction during reverse rotation, thus eliminating the need for manual intervention to clear blockages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a fixed finger axis position is used, then the structure is simple, but the fingers cannot be optimized for both forward feeding and reverse back-feeding operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefinger support assembly structureVSAvoidoperation in forward and reverse directions

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The finger support assembly incorporates a dynamic element that allows the finger axis to move between different positions based on rotation direction. This dynamic capability enables the same structure to be optimized for both forward feeding operations and reverse back-feeding operations, increasing versatility without requiring completely separate mechanisms for each direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The finger support assembly is designed to perform multiple functions by automatically adjusting the finger axis position. The same assembly handles both forward rotation for crop feeding and reverse rotation for blockage clearing, with the finger axis position adapting to each function, thus achieving multi-functionality without significantly increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7392646B2Reversible feed roller with radially extendible fingers

Publication Date: 2008.07.01 MACDON INDS

AI summary

A feed roller primarily for feeding crop into a feeder house of a combine harvester is located above and behind a feed draper and includes an outer flight and retractable fingers for feeding the crop through the zone behind the draper and into the feeder house. The fingers rotate about a finger axis offset from the roller axis so that they extend to a maximum at the draper and are retracted behind the roller to release the crop. When the roller is reversed to release a blockage, the fingers are also reversed in direction and the finger axis is moved rearwardly to the opposite side of the roller so that the fingers are extended behind the roller at the feeder house and retracted at the draper. This movement is done automatically on reversing the roller and uses power from the reversal to move the finger axis using a clutch. An anti-distortion wheel is mounted on the finger shaft to prevent retraction of the finger ends into the roller which can cause damage by loss of proper guidance.