Wedge-Shaped Guide Element for Straw Chopper Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Crop flow problems occur in the transition area between the straw chopper and the distribution device due to the deflection of crops and air flows by the rotating throw fans, leading to inefficiencies in crop distribution.
Innovation Solution
A guide element with wedge-shaped sections is introduced between the throw fans, where the first section widens from the crop inlet area and the second section tapers towards the outlet, positioned to deflect crops laterally and prevent counter-flow, with the transition area aligned to minimize interference with the rotor axes, ensuring proper crop direction and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a guide element is arranged between the throwing blowers to improve material distribution, then the distribution of harvested material is improved, but material flow problems occur in the transition area between the straw chopper and the distribution device
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element is divided into multiple sections (first guide section, second guide section, and transition area) with different geometries. The first guide section has a widening cross-section to direct material from the straw chopper, the second guide section has a tapering cross-section to direct material toward the outlet, and the transition area connects these sections. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally while avoiding material flow problems in the transition area between the straw chopper and the distribution device.
2Manufacturing precision
If the guide element transition area is positioned closer to the rotors to improve deflection, then material direction control is improved, but the rotors cannot rotate freely
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element is designed with spatially varying geometry and properties. The first guide section, second guide section, and transition area each have different cross-sectional dimensions and orientations tailored to their specific locations and functions. This local quality variation allows the guide element to effectively direct material at different stages while maintaining adequate clearance for rotor rotation in critical areas.
3Ease of manufacture
If the guide element has a uniform cross-section to simplify manufacturing, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but material flow problems occur due to improper deflection
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element features a dynamically varying cross-section along its length. The cross-sectional area changes from the first guide section through the transition area to the second guide section, creating a three-dimensional tapered structure. This dynamic geometry allows the guide element to adaptively control material flow at different positions, directing material properly without causing flow problems while remaining manufacturable using standard forming processes.
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 minimizes crop flow disruptions by directing crops away from the distribution device and preventing counter-flow, enhancing the distribution efficiency and preventing unwanted overlap of material streams from counter-rotating fans.
Implementation Method 1
the guide element in the material inlet area of the blower has a first substantially wedge-shaped guide section which widens from the material inlet area in the longitudinal direction of the guide element to a transition area
Implementation Method 2
the guide element has a second substantially wedge-shaped guide section which tapers from the transition area towards the material outlet area
Implementation Method 3
each having a runner rotating about a vertical axis, which rotates in opposite directions during operation
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a chopping and distributing device (5) comprising a straw chopper (6) and a distributing device (7) downstream of the straw chopper (6), which comprises two adjacent blowers (11) each having a rotor (13) rotating about a vertical axis (12) and rotating in opposite directions during operation, wherein each blower (11) has a substantially arc-shaped material inlet area (15) facing the straw chopper (6) and a material outlet area (16) facing away from the straw chopper (6), wherein a guide element (20) is arranged between the blowers (11) which extends section by section in the longitudinal direction of the distributing device (7), wherein the guide element (20) has a first substantially wedge-shaped guide section (22) in the material inlet area (15) of the blowers (11),which widens from the material entry area (15) in the longitudinal direction of the guide element (20) to a transition area (23), and that the guide element (20) has a second substantially wedge-shaped guide section (24) which tapers from the transition area (23) towards the material exit area (16), wherein the transition area (23) of the guide element (20) is arranged at a distance (26) from the vertical axes (12) in an imaginary plane (25) extending transversely to the longitudinal axis (21) of the guide element (20), and the distance (26) of the imaginary plane (25) to the vertical axes (12) corresponds at least to the radius of the runners (13).