Air Delivery Side Discharge Windrower with Wing Baffles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing windrower machines face issues with clogging, maintenance costs, and scattering of stover due to mechanical designs, which hinder efficient deposition of stover into co-mingled windrows.

Innovation Solution

A windrower design featuring a shredder with spinning knives generating airflow and a deployable wing with baffle assemblies to redirect stover airflow and material into organized rows, reducing scattering and clogging risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If mechanical means (auger, drag chain, belt conveyor) are used to deliver stover to the end of the machine, then stover delivery to one end is achieved, but clogging and plugging occur in various crop conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestover delivery efficiencyVSAvoidoperational reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical delivery systems (augers, drag chains, belt conveyors) with an air-based delivery system. Spinning paddles or fans generate airflow that propels stover through an elongate discharge opening to the end of the machine, eliminating mechanical components that can clog or break down.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses pneumatic principles by employing spinning paddles or fans to create airflow that carries stover material through the discharge opening. This air-based transport system replaces mechanical conveyance methods and prevents clogging by maintaining continuous material flow through aerodynamic forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Productivity

If mechanical means (auger, drag chain, belt conveyor) are used to deliver stover to the end of the machine, then stover delivery to one end is achieved, but maintenance costs and downtime increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestover delivery efficiencyVSAvoidmaintenance requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates complex mechanical delivery systems with a simpler air-based system using spinning paddles or fans. This reduction in mechanical complexity directly decreases maintenance requirements and eliminates the need for frequent repairs of clogged or broken mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The air-based delivery system uses simpler, less expensive components (spinning paddles or fans) compared to complex mechanical conveyors. These components have fewer moving parts, are easier to replace, and reduce overall maintenance costs throughout the machine's operational life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If air deflector panels are used to deflect stover to the center, then stover is thrown to the center, but end discharge capability is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestover deflection simplicityVSAvoidend discharge capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses dynamically spinning paddles or fans that rotate to generate airflow, replacing static air deflector panels. This dynamic mechanism creates sufficient airflow force to propel stover all the way to the end of the machine rather than merely deflecting it to the center.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameters of the deflection system by using high-speed rotating paddles or fans that generate strong airflow. This increases the delivery distance and force of stover material, enabling end discharge capability that static deflector panels cannot achieve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If mechanical means are used to deliver stover to the end, then co-mingled windrows are formed, but stover gets wrapped around moving parts causing added resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewindrow formation efficiencyVSAvoidoperational resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical conveyors with an air-based system that uses airflow to transport stover. This eliminates moving mechanical parts that stover could wrap around, thereby reducing operational resistance and maintaining smooth material flow to form co-mingled windrows efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution effectively deposits stover into organized rows, reducing maintenance costs and downtime, while minimizing the presence of dirt and foreign materials in bales.

Implementation Method 1

spinning knives generating airflow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow generation: Turbulence

Implementation Method 2

air and stover particulate entrained therein

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir entrainment: Entrainment

Implementation Method 3

baffle assemblies to redirect stover airflow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow redirection: Flow Separation

Data Source

PatentUS20240268273A1Air delivery side discharge windrower

Publication Date: 2024.08.15 LOFTNESS SPECIALIZED FARM EQUIP INC

AI summary

Lower repair costs and more reliable operation are achieved by eliminating certain moving parts of a windrower and providing the windrower with a wing having a pair of channels which cooperate to redirect to one end of a machine stover entrained in an airflow ejected out the rear of a shredder.