Windrow System Split Curtains Chaff Spreading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern agricultural combines face challenges in evenly spreading chaff over a wider area as the width of the harvesting head increases, and existing powered residue spreaders struggle to separate straw from chaff effectively, requiring a mechanism to form a narrow windrow of straw atop the chaff.
Innovation Solution
A windrow system for agricultural combines incorporating a chopper with a rotor assembly, a pivotable spreader, and adjustable curtains to manage the position and angle of the spreader, allowing for efficient dissemination of straw and chaff, with the spreader and chopper movable between windrowing and chopping positions to control the width of the windrow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the width of the harvesting head is increased, then the harvesting capacity is improved, but it becomes more difficult to evenly spread the chaff over the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The residue management system is divided into separate functional components: a chopper for processing straw and a powered residue spreader for dispersing chaff. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the spreader specifically designed to handle chaff distribution over wide areas while the chopper manages straw processing.
2Area of stationary object
If a powered residue spreader is used to disperse residue widely, then the residue distribution width is improved, but the ability to separate straw from chaff and form a narrow windrow is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs adjustable curtains that can be positioned at different angles and heights to dynamically control the trajectory of straw and chaff. By adjusting the curtain positions, the system can switch between modes: dispersing chaff widely while directing straw into a narrow windrow, or other intermediate configurations, thus achieving both wide distribution and separation capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a windrow-forming mechanism is added to separate straw from chaff, then the residue separation capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Adjustable curtains serve as intermediary elements between the chopper and the field. These curtains mediate the flow of residue by directing straw into a narrow windrow while allowing chaff to pass through and be dispersed by the powered residue spreader. This intermediary approach achieves separation functionality without requiring complex mechanical separation devices.
4Device complexity
If the spreader is fixed in position, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the ability to adjust windrow width and configuration is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The spreader is designed with pivotable mounting that allows it to rotate between different operational positions. This dynamic configuration enables the spreader to adjust its effective working width and windrow formation capability, providing versatility while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure based on pivot joints and adjustable linkages.
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 system enables precise control over the dissemination of straw and chaff, allowing for a wider or narrower windrow configuration, effectively addressing the challenge of spreading residue evenly and separating straw from chaff, enhancing the operational efficiency of agricultural combines.
Implementation Method 1
an impeller positioned below the top surface, with the impeller including one or more blades for rotatably conveying crop residue rearwardly and outwardly from the spreader
Implementation Method 2
The second curtain is coupled to the spreader at a pivot axis of the second curtain for rotation relative to the top surface of the spreader about the pivot axis
Implementation Method 3
the spreader is pivotable relative to the chopper between (i) a windrowing position in which the top surface of the spreader forms a first angle with the roof of the chopper housing, and (ii) a chopping position in which the top surface of the spreader forms a second angle with the roof of the chopper housing
Data Source
AI summary
A windrow system of a combine includes a chopper and a spreader. The chopper includes a chopper housing having a roof and a rotor assembly positioned in the chopper housing, and the spreader is pivotably coupled to the chopper and includes a top surface and an impellor that is positioned below the top surface and includes one or more blades for rotatably conveying crop residue rearwardly and outwardly from the spreader. The windrow system also includes top segment coupled to a main body of the combine, a first curtain, and a second curtain having a portion thereof positioned outwardly of the first curtain. Each of the curtains are movable relative to the main body of the combine when the spreader and/or chopper move between at least one of wide and narrow positions, chopping and windrowing positions, and chopping and stowed positions.