Movable Sieve Sidewall Seal for Oscillating Pivot Pins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing structures for combine harvesters cannot adequately compensate for the three-dimensional oscillating movements of pivot pins in screening devices, leading to unintentional escape of harvested material, especially grains, due to their inability to follow longitudinal movements without damage or loss of sealing effect.
Innovation Solution
A sealing structure with a movable sealing unit that compensates for perpendicular movements relative to the fastening axis, allowing it to pivot and adjust to the oscillating movements of the pivot pin, while being securely fastened to the side wall, using materials with high rigidity and a design that minimizes deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cup-shaped sealing element is used to seal the opening, then the sealing effect is achieved, but the sealing element cannot compensate for longitudinal movements of the pivot pin without damage or loss of sealing effect
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed with dynamic capability to follow the oscillating movements of the pivot pin. The sealing element can pivot around the fastening axis and the distance between the recess center and fastening axis can change continuously, allowing the sealing structure to adapt to the three-dimensional oscillating movements while maintaining reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds another degree of freedom by allowing the sealing unit to pivot around the fastening axis and change its position in space. This enables the sealing element to compensate for movements in multiple directions, not just fixed positioning, thereby adapting to the complex oscillating motion of the pivot pin.
2Reliability
If the sealing unit is rigid to maintain sealing effect, then sealing reliability is improved, but the sealing structure occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing unit combines rigidity for sealing with dynamic pivoting capability. The sealing element itself remains rigid to maintain sealing effect, but the entire sealing unit can pivot around the fastening axis and adjust its position, achieving both reliability and space efficiency through controlled movement rather than flexible material.
3Productivity
If the pivot pin is allowed to oscillate freely for screening function, then screening efficiency is improved, but material can escape through the opening in the side wall
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element acts as an intermediary between the pivot pin and the external environment. It follows the oscillating movements of the pivot pin, maintaining contact and sealing the opening throughout the motion cycle, thereby preventing material escape while allowing the screening function to operate efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing structure dynamically adapts to the pivot pin's oscillating motion by pivoting around the fastening axis and adjusting the distance between the recess center and fastening axis. This dynamic sealing maintains the screening efficiency enabled by free pivot pin oscillation while preventing harmful material escape.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application relates to a sealing structure (1) for sealing an opening (2) which is incorporated into a side wall (3) of a sieve device (4) of a combine harvester (5), comprising a sealing unit (6) and at least one fastening means (7) for fastening the sealing unit (6) to the side wall (3), wherein the sealing unit (6) has at least one recess (8) through which a pivot pin (9) of the sieve device (4) can be guided.In order to provide a sealing structure that reliably seals the opening in the side wall of the sieve device, it is proposed according to the invention that the sealing structure (1) is arranged to compensate for movements of a pivot bolt (9) received in the recess (8) that are oriented perpendicular to a mounting axis (11) of the fastening means (7), wherein at least a part of the sealing unit (6) is movable in a plane oriented perpendicular to the mounting axis (11) relative to the fastening means (7).