Hydraulic Cleaning Fan Drive With Swing-Arm Pump Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combine harvesters face challenges in selectively deactivating the cleaning system without increasing complexity or space requirements, as the cleaning fan does not always need to operate during harvesting.
Innovation Solution
A swing-arm actuated hydraulic pump system is used to power the cleaning fan, allowing for selective activation and deactivation by moving between tension and relaxed states via a belt connection to a drive pulley, controlled by an actuator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the cleaning fan is continuously powered during combine operation, then grain cleaning effectiveness is maintained, but energy consumption increases and operational flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the hydraulic pump movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be positioned in different states (engaged/disengaged) based on operational requirements. The pump can be moved along the drive belt to engage with the drive pulley when cleaning is needed and disengage when not needed, enabling dynamic control of energy consumption while maintaining cleaning effectiveness when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by enabling the cleaning fan to operate only during specific periods when grain cleaning is actually needed, rather than continuously. The hydraulic pump is selectively engaged to power the fan during cleaning operations and disengaged during periods when cleaning is not required, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining productivity when needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a selective deactivation mechanism for the cleaning system is added, then operational flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the hydraulic pump to serve multiple functions: it can be positioned to engage with the drive belt for powering the cleaning fan, or positioned away from the belt for disengagement. This single component performs both the cleaning function and the selective deactivation function, avoiding the need for separate complex control mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the drive belt as an intermediary element that mediates between the drive pulley and the hydraulic pump. The belt's tension and engagement state serve as the intermediate mechanism that selectively transfers power to the pump, providing a simple yet effective way to control system activation without adding complex control components.
3Volume of moving object
If space constraints of modern combine are considered, then compact design is achieved, but available space for selective deactivation mechanisms is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nested doll principle by integrating the hydraulic pump within the existing drive system structure. The pump is positioned to utilize the space along the drive belt path, nesting its movement mechanism within the existing spatial framework of the combine's power transmission system, thereby achieving selective deactivation without requiring additional external space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dimensionality change by moving the hydraulic pump along a linear path parallel to the drive belt rather than requiring radial or vertical space. This allows the deactivation mechanism to operate within the existing spatial envelope of the drive system, utilizing the longitudinal dimension along the belt path to achieve movement and disengagement without encroaching on other critical spaces in the compact combine structure.
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
Enables cost-effective and space-efficient selective operation of the cleaning fan, reducing unnecessary energy consumption and maintaining operational flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
the belt is maintained in a state of tension on the input portion of the hydraulic pump as well as the drive pulley, and in the state of tension of the drive belt, the drive belt is configured to transfer power from the drive pulley to the input portion of the hydraulic pump
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for selectively activating a cleaning fan of a combine harvester. The assembly includes a hydraulic pump for distributing power to the cleaning fan. The hydraulic pump is movably connected to a fixed point, and is configured to move between first and second positions. The hydraulic pump has an input portion for receiving power and a pressurized fluid port for distributing fluid to power the cleaning fan. A drive belt is wound about the input portion of the hydraulic pump and a drive pulley of the combine harvester. An actuator is provided for selectively moving the hydraulic pump between the first position, in which the drive belt is maintained in a state of tension such that the drive pulley can drive the cleaning fan, and the second position, in which the drive belt is maintained in a relaxed state such that the drive pulley cannot drive the cleaning fan.