Evaluation of the coupling forces of the spindle roller with the drive belts to improve the cotton harvester

Abstract

This article investigates the optimization of coupling forces between spindle rollers and drive belts in vertical spindle cotton harvesters, aiming to enhance harvesting efficiency and completeness. Traditional vertical spindle machines face limitations in collecting cotton from bushes, primarily due to inferior spindle-belt interactions compared to horizontal spindle counterparts. Challenges arise from variable traction capacity in friction drives, exacerbated by diminished contact angles between rollers and conventional V-belts. To address these issues, experiments were conducted comparing traditional V-belts with ribbed belts, demonstrating superior traction capabilities of ribbed belts. A novel roller design, coupled with ribbed belts, showcased significantly higher clamping forces, indicating enhanced performance potential. The experimental setup involved a custom-built bench for measuring adhesion forces, providing empirical data supporting the superiority of ribbed belts. The findings suggest that adopting ribbed belts with appropriate roller designs can significantly improve traction and operational stability in spindle drive systems. This research contributes to advancing mechanical engineering knowledge, offering insights into optimizing friction drive systems for enhanced performance and productivity in cotton harvesting machinery and other industrial applications.