Optimization and test of ginger-shaking and harvesting device based on EDEM software

Abstract

Considering the challenges posed by the elevated excavation resistance and substantial soil content of ginger blocks, a specialized digging and harvesting device was designed. The device primarily consists of a digging shovel, shaking fence, hydraulic cylinder, lifting arm and other devices. The mechanical characteristics of the digging device and the mechanism of soil crushing were analysed, and the key factors affecting excavation resistance and soil crushing were determined as follows: forward speed Vm, shaking soil frequency f, shovel surface tilt angle ɑ, shaking fence tilt angle β. To determine the influence rules of key factors on excavation resistance and soil flow, a ginger virtual simulation model of EDEM was constructed. Through the utilization of a target optimization method, an improved parameter combination for evaluating the performance of the ginger harvest operation was established. The optimized parameters were as follows: forward speed of 0.35 m/s, shaking soil frequency of 4.0 Hz, shaking fence inclination at 26.0°, and digging shovel inclination at 9.0°. The field test results show that the ginger harvest effect was good, the ginger block contained fewer impurities such as soil, the harvester operation was stable, and there was no congestion and rollover phenomenon. The forward resistance of the excavation harvesting device was found to be 1368.8 N, the soil content was 4.6 %, and the relative error with the expected result was 7.30 %, thereby meeting the requirements of ginger harvesting and the use requirements of users.