Rigid Rotor Discharge Deflector for Crop Residue Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Axial flow threshing systems in agricultural combines often result in uneven distribution of crop residue due to the helical movement of residue, leading to inefficient operation, uneven wear of components, and poor chop quality, as well as difficulties in achieving uniform residue spread across a field.
Innovation Solution
A rigid rotor discharge deflector with upper ramp portions is positioned in the discharge passage to redirect crop residue flow, ensuring a more uniform distribution across the width of the beater or chopper, eliminating the need for metering edges and enhancing durability against heavy flows and rotor reversals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid rotor discharge deflector with upper ramp portions is used to redirect crop residue flow, then distribution uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge deflector is divided into multiple upper ramp portions spaced laterally along the side wall, each independently directing flow to specific zones. This segmentation allows precise control of residue distribution across the chopper width while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that attaches to the discharge passage.
2Stability of the object's composition
If metering edges are used to control residue flow, then distribution uniformity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to wear from heavy flows and rotor reversals
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using metering edges that directly contact and control the residue flow (which causes wear), the invention uses upper ramp portions that redirect flow through geometric positioning. The ramps deflect residue indirectly through their angled surfaces, eliminating the need for wearing metering edges while maintaining distribution control.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the discharge deflector is positioned to intercept heavy residue flow, then distribution uniformity is improved, but the deflector is subjected to greater mechanical stress and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The upper ramp portions are strategically positioned and angled to intercept residue flow at optimal locations within the discharge passage. Each ramp is locally optimized to deflect specific portions of the residue stream, distributing the mechanical impact across multiple localized contact points rather than concentrating stress on a single structure.
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 achieves improved distribution and handling of crop residue, resulting in more efficient operation, better chop quality, and uniform throughput to the residue spreader, addressing the issues of uneven distribution and component wear.
Implementation Method 1
upper ramp portions spaced laterally along one of said side walls and projecting into said discharge passage for intersecting at least certain respective portions of said crop residue flow in respective transverse manners across said discharge passage as said crop residue portions impact said upper ramp portions
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A rigid rotor discharge deflector apparatus (52) for an axial flow combine includes a body member (60), attachable to the side wall (38) of a discharge passage (36) at the downstream end of the threshing rotor (28). It has a face portion (62) with a plurality of ridge portions (64) thereon extending generally laterally across at least a portion of the face portion and a like plurality of upper ramp portions (120-123) sloped and extending outwardly from the upper body portion to the ridge portions. The deflector apparatus intersects portions of the crop residue flow from the rotor (28) for better distribution of the crop residue across the width of a beater (24) or chopper (26) arranged behind the threshing rotor (28).