Shredder Distribution Device Transverse Crop Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing chopping and distribution devices for combine harvesters fail to distribute the harvested crop over the entire width of the cutterbar, especially with wide cutterbar attachments, due to air resistance, resulting in inadequate distribution width.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves assigning driven guide elements, such as centrifugal conveyors or elevator conveyors, and stationary guide elements, like guide rails, to the chopping element to direct the crop flow transversely before it enters the distribution device, increasing the distance between distribution devices and allowing for a larger total distribution width. This design includes radial distributors with adjustable speed and position to match the cutting width, ensuring the crop is distributed over the entire cutting width.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the cutterbar width is increased to handle larger harvest areas, then the cutting capacity is improved, but the distribution width becomes insufficient due to air resistance limiting crop throw distance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting capacityVSAvoiddistribution width
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a transverse movement dimension by using driven guide elements (centrifugal conveyors or elevator conveyors) that move crop flow perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chopping element. This dimensional change allows distribution devices to be positioned farther apart while still covering the entire cutterbar width, resolving the contradiction between wide cutting and sufficient distribution width

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Driven guide elements act as intermediaries between the chopping element and distribution devices. These elements actively transport and redirect crop flow transversely, enabling the system to overcome air resistance limitations and achieve proper distribution across wide cutterbar widths without increasing throw distance requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If distribution devices are placed closer together to cover the cutting width, then the distribution width is improved, but the overlap between individual distribution widths increases reducing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistribution widthVSAvoidoverlap loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

By introducing transverse movement through driven guide elements, the system can increase the longitudinal distance between distribution devices while maintaining full coverage. This reduces the overlap between adjacent distribution patterns, eliminating energy waste while preserving distribution width

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Area of stationary object

If additional drives are added to increase throwing distance, then the distribution width is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistribution widthVSAvoidnumber of drives
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The driven guide elements serve multiple functions: they transport crop flow from the chopping element, redirect it transversely, and prepare it for distribution. This multi-functionality achieves increased distribution width without requiring separate throwing mechanisms, maintaining simplicity while resolving the technical contradiction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This configuration enables the harvested crop to be distributed over the entire cutting width, even with wide attachments, by reducing overlap and increasing throwing distances, resulting in a larger distribution width without the need for additional drives, thus being cost-effective and efficient.

Implementation Method 1

the driven guide elements are centrifugal conveyors or elevator conveyors, so that the harvested crop can be conveyed over greater distances

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

the driven guide elements are centrifugal conveyors or elevator conveyors, so that the harvested crop can be conveyed over greater distances

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical conveyance:

Data Source

PatentEP1897430B1Shredder and distribution device
Publication Date: 2015.06.10 CLAAS SELBSTFAHRENDE ERNTEMASCHINEN GMBH
  • EP1897430B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1897430B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1897430B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The chopping and distribution device has a chaff element (42) assigned to a distribution device (54) for distribution of material flow (47) withdrawing from the chaff element. The distribution device is attached to a chaff element in such a way that the material flow leaving from the chaff element moves traverse to the longitudinal axis (64) of the before entering into the distribution device.