Roll Segment Labyrinth Seal for Dirt-Free Crop Cleaning Rolls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dirt penetration into the connecting regions between roll segments of agricultural crop transporting and cleaning devices leads to increased wear and difficulty in releasing the segments, as the connection elements no longer bear correctly against one another due to dirt accumulation, resulting in an enlarged diameter.
Innovation Solution
The roll segments feature undercut first and second connection elements with complementary shaping, forming a labyrinth seal to prevent dirt penetration, and are pretensioned to maintain a sealed connection even under external loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional connection elements are used between roll segments, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but dirt penetrates into the connecting regions causing increased wear and difficulty in releasing segments
Solution Approach 1:
The connection element is divided into multiple functional segments: an undercut end region for sealing, a thickening for structural strength, and a latching lug for mechanical interlocking. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the connection element have different geometric properties tailored to their specific functions: the undercut end region provides sealing through its geometry, the thickening provides structural support, and the latching lug provides mechanical locking. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by making the connection element complex only where necessary
2Reliability
If the connection elements are made robust to prevent dirt penetration, then sealing improves, but the release and assembly of roll segments becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The undercut geometry creates preliminary resistance to dirt penetration before dirt can enter the connecting region. The thickening and latching lug further pre-empt potential failure modes by providing structural strength and mechanical locking, respectively, thereby preventing wear and misalignment before they occur
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the connection element completely sealed and fixed, the design uses controlled gaps with undercut geometry that allow for easy assembly and disassembly while still preventing dirt penetration. The latching mechanism is designed to be easily engaged and disengaged, inverting the typical approach where stronger connections are harder to release
3Reliability
If multiple connection elements are distributed uniformly to improve sealing, then dirt penetration is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each connection element is designed as a universal component with standardized geometry that performs multiple functions: sealing through the undercut, structural support through the thickening, and mechanical locking through the latching lug. This multi-functionality allows uniform distribution of connection elements without increasing manufacturing complexity, as each element is identical and can be produced using the same process
Data Source
AI summary
A roll segment is provided for a roll of an agricultural crop transporting and/or cleaning device which has a plurality of rolls, which are oriented at least substantially transversely to the transport direction and which are preferably formed as spiral rolls in succession in the transport direction, and via which, during operation, the crops are transported for cleaning and/or transport purposes. The roll segment has a longitudinal axis which, during operation, corresponds to a rotation axis and, for the purpose of forming the roll with at least one further roll segment extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis during operation, has at least at one end at least one first connection element which is designed for connection to a further connection element of the further roll segment.