Segmented Plastic Filler for Conveyor Drum Balance and Debris Exclusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural combine rotary conveyors experience unbalanced rotation due to the accumulation of dirt, chaff, and crop material within their hollow interiors, leading to oscillation and damage, as existing solutions like filling with rubber or foam increase weight and make maintenance difficult.

Innovation Solution

A lightweight, removable plastic filler with a cylindrical outer surface is inserted between the central shaft and drum segments to exclude contaminants and balance the conveyor, comprising hollow thermoplastic bodies that can be easily assembled or retrofitted into existing systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the cylindrical voids are filled with rubber or expanded foam to exclude contaminants, then the effectiveness of excluding contaminants is improved, but the weight of the cylinders significantly increases and the cylinders cannot be easily disassembled for maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontaminant exclusion effectivenessVSAvoidcylinder weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The filler is divided into multiple discrete elements or segments that can be individually inserted into and removed from the cylindrical conveyor. Each segment fits within the cylindrical void space, collectively providing contaminant exclusion while maintaining the ability to disassemble and reassemble the cylinder for maintenance purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the cylindrical voids are filled with rubber or expanded foam to exclude contaminants, then the effectiveness of excluding contaminants is improved, but the cylinders cannot be easily disassembled for maintenance purposes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontaminant exclusion effectivenessVSAvoidcylinder disassembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If the cylindrical conveyor rotates at high speed to throw crop material further, then the productivity is improved, but the conveyor oscillates and damages components when not well-balanced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrop material throwing distanceVSAvoidconveyor balance stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The filler elements are strategically positioned within the cylindrical voids to act as counterweights that balance the rotating conveyor. By placing filler material in specific locations opposite to the heavy components (such as the drive mechanism or protrusions), the overall rotational balance is improved, reducing oscillation and component damage at high speeds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Data Source

PatentEP3440923B1Conveyor drum filler for debris exclusion

Publication Date: 2021.01.13 DEERE & CO

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AI summary

A plastic filler for a cylinder conveyor, wherein the cylindrical conveyor includes a drum supported on a central shaft and defines a void therebetween, and wherein the plastic filler at least partially fills the void and thereby prevents the entry of contaminants into the void.