Transverse Cooling Package for Agricultural Harvester

Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural harvesters face challenges in effectively cooling onboard components due to increased power requirements, which generate heat, and existing cooling systems are cumbersome, prone to chaff and dust buildup, and not optimally located.

Innovation Solution

A cooling system with multiple units arranged laterally across the combine, positioned between the IC engine and the grain tank, featuring a housing with rotating screens that filter out chaff and dust, and fans that use airflow to clean components while avoiding aesthetic impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If multiple discrete fluid coolers are positioned at various locations onboard the combine, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and space occupation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidnumber of discrete coolers

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent consolidates multiple discrete fluid coolers into a single integrated cooling package that houses multiple cooling units. This merging approach maintains the cooling effectiveness of having multiple coolers distributed throughout the combine while reducing device complexity by consolidating them into one unified structure located between the IC engine and grain tank.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If coolers are positioned at convenient locations onboard the combine, then ease of installation is improved, but susceptibility to chaff and dust buildup worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidchaff and dust buildup

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates rotating screens at the inlet of the cooling package that actively remove chaff and dust from the air stream before it reaches the cooling units. This converts the harmful effect of crop residue into a beneficial cleaning action, allowing the coolers to be positioned in locations that are both easy to install and protected from buildup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Volume of moving object

If cooling units are arranged longitudinally, then space utilization is improved, but airflow efficiency and cooling performance worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidcooling performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent arranges multiple cooling units in a transverse (side-to-side) configuration within the housing rather than longitudinally. This dimensional change in arrangement allows each cooling unit to have its own dedicated air inlet and outlet, improving airflow efficiency and cooling performance while still utilizing the available space between the IC engine and grain tank effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 solution provides an efficient, easy-to-install cooling system that effectively prevents chaff and dust buildup, maintains the combine's appearance, and utilizes airflow for cleaning, ensuring effective cooling of onboard components.

Implementation Method 1

Each cooling unit 74 generally includes a screen 78, positioned at an inlet 84 of the corresponding cooling unit 74, and a fan 82, positioned at an outlet 86 of the corresponding cooling unit 74. The inlet 84 allows air to be drawn into the respective cooling unit 74, and the outlet 86 allows air to be exhausted from the respective cooling unit 74.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

Each cooling unit 74 generally includes a screen 78, positioned at an inlet 84 of the corresponding cooling unit 74, and a fan 82, positioned at an outlet 86 of the corresponding cooling unit 74. The inlet 84 allows air to be drawn into the respective cooling unit 74, and the outlet 86 allows air to be exhausted from the respective cooling unit 74.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 3

A cooling system with multiple units arranged laterally across the combine, positioned between the IC engine and the grain tank, featuring a housing with rotating screens that filter out chaff and dust, and fans that use airflow to clean components while avoiding aesthetic impact.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat Exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentUS11549426B2Transversely oriented cooling package for an agricultural harvester

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 BLUE LEAF I P INC

AI summary

An agricultural harvester includes an IC engine, a grain tank, and a fluid cooling system for at least one component onboard the agricultural harvester. The fluid cooling system has a cooling package positioned between the IC engine and the grain tank. The cooling package includes a housing, and a plurality of cooling units arranged in a side-to-side manner within the housing, transverse to a fore-aft direction of the harvester.