Straw Chopper Fan Blades with Scroll Housing for Air Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current straw choppers for agricultural harvesting machines lack enhanced air flow efficiency, which affects the distribution of non-grain crop material back to the field.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates scoop-shaped fan blades with a U-shaped portion and side walls extending from a rear wall, along with a rotatable hub and scroll housing to direct an enhanced air flow, improving the distribution of chopped material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional fan blades with L-shaped or simple U-shaped cross sections are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the air flow efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The fan blade is designed with a scoop-shaped configuration featuring a curved leading edge and a U-shaped cross-section with a rear wall and side walls. This curved geometry is specifically optimized to enhance air flow efficiency by reducing turbulence and improving the aerodynamic characteristics of the blade, directly resolving the contradiction between simple structure and high air flow efficiency.
2Productivity
If fans are positioned at longitudinally outboard ends of the chopper blades, then the non-grain crop material can be cast from the rear of the combine, but the air flow distribution is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The fan blade design incorporates three-dimensional scoop-shaped geometry with a U-shaped cross-section including a rear wall and side walls extending from it. This multi-dimensional configuration creates effective air flow channels that optimize material distribution patterns, transforming the simple radial air flow into a more controlled and efficient three-dimensional flow pattern.
3Productivity
If the fan blades have simple geometric configurations, then manufacturing is easier, but the air flow enhancement and material dispersal efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The scoop-shaped fan blade with its curved leading edge and U-shaped cross-section represents an optimized geometric configuration that balances manufacturing feasibility with aerodynamic performance. The curvature is designed to be manufacturable using standard fabrication processes while significantly enhancing air flow efficiency and material dispersal compared to straight-edged or simple geometric alternatives.
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 enhanced air flow design improves the distribution of chopped crop material back to the field, ensuring efficient dispersal and reducing material accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
The scroll housing assists in directing an enhanced flow of air from straw chopper
Implementation Method 2
The enhanced air flow design improves the distribution of chopped crop material back to the field
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention pertains to a straw chopper (36) for an agricultural harvesting machine, comprising a housing (40), a rotor (42) carried in said housing (40), said rotor (42) including a center chopping section (50) comprising pendulously mounted straw chopper blades (56) cooperating with stationary knifes (44) mounted to said housing (40) and a pair of fans (52) respectively positioned at longitudinally outboard ends of said center chopping section (50), each said fan (52) including a hub (60) rotatable in a direction of rotation, and a plurality of fan blades (64) connected with said hub (60) at a plurality of angularly spaced locations about said hub (60). It is proposed that a scroll housing (66, 80, 82, 84) is attached to said housing (40) and positioned radially outboard from said plurality of fan blades (64).