Unitary Spreader Bat Disk for Uniform Crop Residue Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crop residue spreader disk assemblies for harvester combines are costly and require time-consuming assembly and configuration, with multiple components that can be cumbersome and expensive, while users seek a more cost-effective and versatile solution for uniform distribution of crop residue.
Innovation Solution
A unitary spreader bat disk with integral blades, optionally including a spreader cone and conical linkage, formed as a single, lightweight, durable, and cost-effective construction that can replace multiple components, allowing for adjustable throw patterns and reduced assembly time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components (spreader plate, spreader fins/bats, hardware connectors) are used to assemble the spreader disk assembly, then the assembly can be configured for different crops and spreading patterns, but the assembly time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the spreader plate and spreader fins into a single unitary spreader disk assembly that is injection-moulded as one piece. This eliminates the need for separate components and hardware connectors, reducing assembly time while maintaining the ability to configure different spreading patterns for various crops by selecting from different unitary disk designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The unitary spreader disk assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the mounting plate and the spreading fins, and can be configured for different crop types (light vs. heavy residue) and spreading patterns (windrow vs. broadcast) through selective use of different disk designs rather than assembly of multiple components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components with hardware connectors are used, then the assembly can be disassembled and reconfigured, but the manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the spreader plate and spreader fins into a single unitary component formed by injection moulding. This eliminates hardware connectors and reduces the number of parts from multiple separate components to one integrated assembly, simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining reconfigurability through selective replacement of entire disks.
Solution Approach 2:
While each spreader disk is unitary, the system maintains versatility through segmentation at the disk level - different unitary disks can be selected and installed based on crop requirements. This provides reconfigurability without the complexity of multiple components within each disk.
3Ease of repair
If traditional separate components are used, then the assembly can be serviced and replaced, but the weight and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The unitary spreader disk assembly combines the plate and fins into one piece, eliminating the weight of hardware connectors and reducing overall assembly weight. Serviceability is maintained through the ability to remove and replace entire disks as needed, while the integrated design reduces structural complexity compared to multiple separate components.
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 unitary spreader bat disk provides efficient and uniform distribution of crop residue with reduced costs and assembly time, offering both aggressive and retarded throw configurations, while minimizing material usage and operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of radially distributed integral blade or fin projections (84) projecting upwardly from the top surface (58) of the web portion (56)... propel the crop residue rearwardly away from the harvester combine and somewhat sidewardly across the swath of the cut
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A spreader bat disk (40) for a spreader assembly that has a drive linkage (114) operable to rotatably drive attachments thereto, the spreader bat disk (40) being formed or moulded as a unitary construction that includes a web portion (56), preferably of a generally circular configuration, having a top surface (58) and an essentially flat bottom surface, with a plurality of integral radially distributed spreader blades projecting upwardly from the top surface, and which is configured to be operatively connectable to the drive linkage (114) of the spreader assembly to be rotated thereby to spread material provided thereto.