Side Shaker Arm Sieve Frame for Oscillating Load Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sieve arrangements in agricultural combines are not adequately designed to withstand oscillating loads, which can lead to inefficiencies in grain cleaning and increased structural stress, resulting in heavier frames, reduced effective cleaning area, and compromised performance.

Innovation Solution

A sieve arrangement featuring a side shaker arm connected to structural members that transfer oscillating loads directly to an opposing structural member, using a bolted design with hollow structural members to distribute stress and maintain equivalent deflections, thereby enhancing the frame's ability to handle oscillating forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional sieve frame designs are used, then the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the frame cannot adequately withstand oscillating loads, resulting in increased frame weight and reduced cleaning area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to withstand oscillating loadsVSAvoidframe weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is divided into multiple structural members (first side frame member, second side frame member, first end frame member, second end frame member) that are selectively reinforced. This segmentation allows stress to be distributed to specific members best positioned to handle oscillating loads, rather than uniformly strengthening the entire frame, thus reducing overall weight while maintaining strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies asymmetric reinforcement by selectively strengthening only the side frame members (first and second side frame members) that are subjected to oscillating loads, while leaving other frame members with minimal or no reinforcement. This asymmetric approach optimizes weight by applying material only where structurally necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Area of stationary object

If traditional sieve frame designs are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but the effective cleaning area is reduced due to heavier frame structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffective cleaning areaVSAvoidframe manufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the frame into distinct members with different reinforcement levels, the design maximizes the effective cleaning area within the available envelope space. The selective reinforcement approach allows the frame to be lighter and more compact, thereby increasing the usable cleaning area without significantly complicating manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the frame is strengthened to handle oscillating loads, then structural reliability improves, but the frame size increases reducing the effective envelope space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural reliability under oscillating loadsVSAvoidframe envelope volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Segmentation allows the frame to achieve high structural reliability in critical areas (side frame members) while maintaining a compact overall envelope. By reinforcing only the necessary members, the frame volume is minimized, preserving effective envelope space for the cleaning system operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Asymmetric reinforcement strategy ensures that frame strengthening is concentrated only where oscillating loads are applied, rather than uniformly increasing frame dimensions. This maintains a compact envelope volume while achieving the required structural reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

4Stress or pressure

If heavier frame members are used to withstand oscillating loads, then allowable stress levels increase, but the overall device weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveallowable stress levelsVSAvoidsieve assembly weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Segmentation enables the sieve assembly to achieve high allowable stress levels in the side frame members that experience oscillating loads, while other members remain lightweight. This selective approach increases overall stress capacity without proportionally increasing the weight of the entire assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3120688B1Structural members for a side shaking sieve arrangement in an agricultural harvester

Publication Date: 2018.10.17 CNH IND BELGIUM NV

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AI summary

A sieve arrangement (100) for an agricultural combine harvester (10) includes a sieve frame (102) for carrying a sieve, a side shaker arm (104), and a plurality of elongate structural members (106). The sieve frame (102) includes a first side frame member (108) and a second side frame member (110). The side shaker arm (104) is connected with the first side frame member (108). Each structural member (106) has a first end (112) connected to the side shaker arm (104), and a second end (114) connected with the second side frame member (110).