Stover Conveyor Dynamics and Wind Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing stover conveyor systems face challenges in positioning within limited vertical space under a combine, maintaining stability during corn head raising, managing lateral tilt, ensuring proper stover placement, and protecting against cross winds, which affects yield and conveyor functionality.
Innovation Solution
A stover conveyor system with a lift cylinder-connected first end, a pivotally connected second end to the combine frame, and a stover guide with an adjustable door to manage stover flow and prevent wind displacement, along with a pivotally connected stover chopper to maintain belt stability during height adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the conveyor is positioned to accept material from the corn head, then material transfer is improved, but vertical space under the combine is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor is mounted on a lift cylinder that enables dynamic vertical adjustment. The conveyor can be raised and lowered to accommodate different operating conditions - positioned low to accept material from the corn head during harvesting, and raised during transport to avoid ground contact. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between needing space for material transfer and limited vertical clearance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the corn head is raised for transport, then ground contact is avoided, but the conveyor also needs to be raised maintaining positioning stability
Solution Approach 1:
The lift cylinder provides dynamic control of conveyor height, allowing the system to adapt between harvest and transport positions. During transport, the conveyor is raised with the corn head, and the pivotal mounting members maintain stability throughout the movement, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and stability.
3Reliability
If the chopper drive is kept stable on the rear of the conveyor, then drive mechanism reliability is improved, but space for multiple components is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The chopper drive is integrated with the conveyor structure through pivotal mounting members that combine multiple functions - supporting the chopper, accommodating height adjustments, and maintaining drive stability. This merging of functions resolves the contradiction between drive reliability and limited mounting space.
4Productivity
If stover is discharged from the combine auger, then material flow is improved, but proper placement on the conveyor is difficult due to loose airborne material
Solution Approach 1:
A stover guide structure acts as an intermediary between the auger discharge and the conveyor belt. The guide channels and directs the loose airborne stover onto the conveyor at the correct location and orientation, resolving the contradiction between high discharge rate and placement accuracy.
5Loss of substance
If cross wind protection is added to prevent material loss, then yield protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stover guide structure serves as a protective intermediary that shields the conveyor belt from cross winds while channeling stover onto the belt. This single structure provides both guidance and wind protection, resolving the contradiction between yield protection and system complexity.
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 effectively positions the conveyor within limited space, ensures proper stover placement, and prevents wind-induced material loss, maintaining conveyor stability and preventing plugging, thus enhancing harvesting efficiency and yield.
Implementation Method 1
The first end of the conveyor is connected to a lift cylinder component with a first mounting member
Implementation Method 2
The first mounting member is pivotal, and the second and third mounting members are pivotal at both ends
Implementation Method 3
a stover guide is positioned over at least a portion of the first end of the stover conveyor, the stover guide having an adjustable door
Data Source
AI summary
A stover conveyor system that extends between a corn head and a stover chopper having a first end and a second end. The first end of the stover conveyor is connected to a lift cylinder with a first mounting member, the second end is connected to a frame of a combine with a second mounting member, and a third mounting member is connected to the frame and the stover chopper.