Variable Speed Drive Assembly for Combine Harvester Cleaning System
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Solution Overview
Problem
The effectiveness of the cleaning system in combine harvesters is significantly affected by operating conditions, leading to varying yields and capacities, particularly due to changes in inclination during harvesting.
Innovation Solution
A variable speed drive assembly is integrated into the cleaning system, allowing for adjustable angular velocity of the rotatable output shaft, controlled by a control unit based on input signals from sensors or user interfaces, to maintain consistent cleaning capacity regardless of operating conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed speed drive mechanism is used for the cleaning system, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cleaning effectiveness varies substantially with operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a variable speed drive mechanism that dynamically adjusts the rotational speed of the drive shaft based on operating conditions such as harvester inclination. This allows the cleaning system to maintain optimal performance across varying operational scenarios, resolving the contradiction between fixed complexity and variable effectiveness by introducing controlled dynamic adjustment.
2Productivity
If the cleaning system speed is increased, then the productivity is improved, but the separation effectiveness of seeds from by-products deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the speed parameter dynamically based on operating conditions. By adjusting the drive shaft rotational speed according to inclination and load conditions, the system maintains optimal separation effectiveness while maximizing productivity when conditions permit, thus resolving the contradiction between throughput and separation quality.
3Reliability
If the cleaning system adapts to varying operating conditions, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to variable speed control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a control system that receives feedback about operating conditions (such as inclination sensors and load monitoring) and automatically adjusts the drive shaft speed accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables the system to maintain consistent cleaning yield without requiring complex manual intervention, balancing reliability improvement with acceptable device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A combine harvester having a cleaning system with at least one cleaner assembly for cleaning the harvested and a drive assembly connected to the cleaning system to drive the cleaning system, thereby driving the at least one cleaner assembly to perform a reciprocating cleaner movement. The drive assembly comprises a variable speed drive assembly with a rotary drive comprising a rotatable output shaft for driving the cleaning system, a transmission to connect the rotatable output shaft to the at least one cleaner assembly, the transmission configured to convert an angular movement of the rotatable output shaft to the reciprocating cleaner movement, and a control unit to control an angular velocity of the rotatable output shaft based on an input signal.