Walker-Sieve Rigid Connection for Combine Harvester Grain Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of existing grain separating mechanisms in combine harvesters leads to space inefficiencies and difficult maintenance due to their intricate mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A grain separating apparatus with side-by-side walker-sieves, where each sieve is suspended and driven out of phase to create a rotational motion, with drivers on the straw walkers and sieves rigidly connected to form a compact unit, aided by a blower for airflow separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex mechanisms are used for dynamic motion of sieves and straw walkers, then grain separation function is improved, but device complexity increases and maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the straw walker and sieve into a single integrated unit called 'walker-sieve'. The straw walker is rigidly connected to the sieve, forming a unified structure that performs both straw conveying and grain separation functions simultaneously. This merging eliminates the need for separate complex mechanisms for each function, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective grain separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated walker-sieve unit serves multiple functions: it conveys straw material through the drivers on the straw walker, separates grain through the walker apertures, and cleans grain through the sieve. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall mechanism while maintaining comprehensive grain separation capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used for straw walkers and cleaning systems, then functional versatility is improved, but space requirement increases and maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the straw walker and sieve into a single integrated walker-sieve unit, the patent reduces the space required for housing separate components. The rigid connection between straw walker and sieve allows them to occupy the same spatial envelope, eliminating gaps and structural space that would be needed for separate mounting of independent components.
Solution Approach 2:
The design nests the sieve within the structural framework of the straw walker assembly. The sieve is positioned and supported as part of the walker-sieve unit, allowing it to be housed within the same structural boundaries as the straw walker, thereby reducing overall space requirements while maintaining both functions.
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 configuration reduces mechanical complexity, simplifies maintenance, and enhances the efficiency of grain separation by allowing the same drive to manage both straw conveying and cleaning, resulting in a more compact and effective cleaning process.
Implementation Method 1
a blower arranged to generate an airflow through the walker apertures and the sieve
Implementation Method 2
at least one of the two suspension points is arranged to describe a rotational motion. A rotational motion drive is arranged to drive said rotational motion
Data Source
AI summary
A grain separating apparatus (1) for a combine harvester (2). The grain separating apparatus (1) has at least a first walker-sieve (3) and a second walker-sieve (4) arranged side by side, wherein the first walker-sieve (3) and the second walker-sieve (4) are suspended in at least two suspension points (5,6) in the combine harvester (2) and wherein at least one of the two suspension points (5,6) is arranged to describe a rotational motion. A rotational motion drive (7) is arranged to drive the rotational motion of the first walker-sieve (3) out of phase with the rotational motion of the second walker-sieve (4), wherein each of the at least two walker-sieves (3,4) include a straw walker (8) comprising drivers (9) for conveying a straw material (10) and wherein grain (11) and debris (12) are separated from the straw material (10) through walker apertures (13) arranged in the straw walker (8). Furthermore, the straw walker (8) is arranged on top of at least one sieve (14,15) which is arranged to separate grain (11) from the debris (12) and wherein the straw walker (8) and the at least one sieve (14,15) are rigidly connected. Furthermore, a method for separating grain (11) from straw material (10) in a combine harvester (2) by a grain separating apparatus (1) as described above.