Splitter Positioning for Debris Separation in Harvester Extractor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural harvesters face challenges in efficiently removing debris from the harvested crops, which affects airflow and cleaning efficiency within the harvester.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a chopper assembly and an extractor with a splitter positioned above the center point of the outlet, which separates the flow of processed crop material into different regions, allowing for increased airflow and improved cleaning efficiency by interacting more with debris than billets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the extractor processes the entire stream of processed crop material uniformly, then all material receives similar airflow treatment, but debris removal efficiency is reduced due to insufficient interaction with debris concentrated in upper regions
Solution Approach 1:
The stream of processed crop material is divided into multiple regions using deflectors and splitters. The stream is segmented into a first region (upper portion with higher debris concentration) and a second region (lower portion with higher billet concentration), allowing differentiated airflow treatment for each region to maximize debris removal while maintaining throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
Different airflow characteristics are applied to different regions of the crop material stream. The first region receives airflow optimized for debris removal (higher velocity, more turbulent), while the second region receives airflow optimized for billet handling. This local customization of airflow quality improves overall debris removal efficiency without compromising total throughput.
2Productivity
If the fan rotation speed is reduced to accommodate higher throughput, then energy consumption decreases, but debris removal efficiency is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The crop material stream is segmented into regions that are processed simultaneously through the extractor. By creating multiple flow paths and regions (first flow into first zone, second flow into second zone), the system increases effective processing capacity and throughput without reducing fan rotation speed, thereby maintaining cleaning efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes vertical dimensionality by positioning the splitter above the center point of the outlet and creating upper and lower flow regions. This three-dimensional arrangement of flow paths allows increased throughput capacity while maintaining sufficient airflow velocity and fan rotation speed for effective debris removal.
3Reliability
If the splitter is positioned at or below the center point of the outlet, then the splitter interacts more with billets, but debris removal efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The splitter is positioned in the upper region (above the center point) where debris concentration is higher, creating a local quality difference between upper and lower stream regions. This positioning ensures the splitter primarily interacts with debris rather than billets, improving debris removal efficiency while the positioning tolerance requirements are managed through the overall system design.
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
The system enhances debris removal efficiency, allowing for increased airflow and improved cleaning, which can accommodate higher throughput without impacting billet throwing paths or reducing fan rotation speeds.
Implementation Method 1
an extractor fan located above the stream of processed crop material within the housing is configured to draw air through the stream to suck debris or trash upwardly and out of the top of the extractor, thereby allowing the heavier crop (e.g., sugar cane billets) to fall downwardly
Implementation Method 2
The splitter at least partially extends within the stream of processed crop material discharged from the chopper assembly and positioned above the center point of the outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A system for removing debris from an agricultural harvester is provided herein. The system includes a chopper assembly configured to receive and process crop material. The chopper assembly can define an outlet through which a stream of processed crop material is discharged from the chopper assembly. The outlet defines an outlet vertical height and a center point of the outlet. A splitter is positioned downstream of the chopper assembly. The splitter at least partially extends within the stream of processed crop material discharged from the chopper assembly and is positioned above the center point of the outlet.