Vented Side Member Airflow for Combine Back Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural combines experience reduced efficiency due to back pressure buildup from the accumulation of non-grain crop material (MOG) and imbalanced air flow, which burdens the cleaning system and reduces the effectiveness of the airstream created by the cleaning fan.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of vented exterior side members and an air conduit that directs an airstream to force MOG to exit the sides of the combine before it reaches the rear, reducing back pressure and allowing more efficient operation of the threshing and cleaning systems by decreasing the amount of MOG that enters the cleaning system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the combine is equipped with sealed side doors and paneling to protect the operator and components, then safety and component protection are improved, but back pressure builds up because air and MOG can only exit through the rear
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the single rear exit for air and MOG into multiple exit paths by adding vented side members with outlets at the sides of the combine. This segments the exhaust function between rear and side exits, reducing back pressure while maintaining sealed side doors for protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a lateral dimension to the exhaust path by introducing side outlets in the side members, whereas previously all exhaust was directed only through the rear. This creates a three-dimensional exhaust distribution pattern rather than a single-direction flow.
2Productivity
If the cleaning fan directs an airstream rearwardly across the cleaning system to remove chaff and debris, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but back pressure increases because the air outflow is not in proportion to air inflow
Solution Approach 1:
The air outflow path is segmented into rear exhaust and side exhaust through the vented side members. This allows the cleaning fan to maintain its rearward airstream for cleaning effectiveness while portion of the air exits through the sides, balancing inflow and outflow to reduce back pressure.
3Device complexity
If MOG is allowed to exit only through the rear of the combine via the residue system, then the residue system structure is simplified, but the cleaning system becomes burdened with excess MOG reducing its efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
MOG discharge is segmented into two paths: rear exit through the residue system and side exit through the vented side members. This reduces the burden on the cleaning system by allowing MOG to exit at the sides before reaching the cleaning area, while maintaining the rear residue system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The vented side members act as an intermediary discharge path for MOG, intercepting it before it burdens the cleaning system. This intermediary exit route protects the cleaning system from excess MOG while the rear residue system continues to handle remaining material.
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
This solution reduces back pressure within the combine, enhances the efficiency of the cleaning system, and prevents stagnation of MOG and airborne debris by allowing them to exit more easily, thereby improving the overall performance of the agricultural vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
an air conduit for directing an airstream toward the exterior side member such that the airstream forces MOG to exit through the outlet
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An agricultural vehicle (100) including a chassis (102), at least one rotor (124) supported by the chassis (102) and configured for threshing a crop material, at least one exterior side member (154) supported by the chassis (102) and including at least one outlet (156), and an air conduit (158) located underneath the at least one rotor (124). The air conduit (158) is configured for providing an airstream (A) directed to the at least one exterior side member (154) such that the airstream (A) forces a material other than grain out through the at least one outlet (156).