Segmented Chopping Module Reduces Cutting Forces

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plant chopping modules require high cutting forces and experience significant impact between cutting knives and counter knives, leading to inefficient operation and reduced working life.

Innovation Solution

The module features lengthwise cutting knives segmented into lagged sections, where each segment reaches the counter knife only after the previous one has completed a cut, reducing cutting forces and pressure, and allowing for smoother operation and increased longevity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If cutting knives are positioned to simultaneously contact the counter knife, then cutting efficiency is improved, but cutting forces and impact between knives increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting efficiencyVSAvoidcutting forces

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting knives are divided into multiple segments arranged along the circumference of the rotating cylinder. Each segment contacts the counter knife at different times during rotation, creating a sequential cutting action rather than simultaneous contact. This segmentation reduces the peak cutting forces and impact between knives while maintaining continuous cutting capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If cutting knives are positioned to simultaneously contact the counter knife, then cutting efficiency is improved, but operation smoothness deteriorates due to increased impact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting efficiencyVSAvoidoperation smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting knives are divided into multiple segments arranged along the circumference of the rotating cylinder. Each segment contacts the counter knife at different times during rotation, creating a sequential cutting action rather than simultaneous contact. This segmentation reduces the peak cutting forces and impact between knives while maintaining continuous cutting capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If cutting knives are positioned to simultaneously contact the counter knife, then cutting efficiency is improved, but working life of the cutting set decreases due to increased impact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting efficiencyVSAvoidworking life

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting knives are divided into multiple segments arranged along the circumference of the rotating cylinder. Each segment contacts the counter knife at different times during rotation, creating a sequential cutting action rather than simultaneous contact. This segmentation reduces the peak cutting forces and impact between knives while maintaining continuous cutting capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10517216B2Chopping module

Publication Date: 2019.12.31 IND REUNIDAS COLOMBO LTD

AI summary

A chopping module is provided that is designed for grasping and pulling plants by pushing them between a rotating knife set and chopping them into billets, wherein the rotating knife set has a cylindrical form with its length divided into at least two sections, wherein various cutting segments are distributed, each one extending itself in each lengthwise section formed between the discs wherein the segments of a section are lagged or are not lengthwise aligned to those of the adjacent section. This module is advantageous in that it allows for considerable reduction of the cutting forces or pressure, and consequently allows for smooth operation and considerably increased working life of the module.