Optimization Design and Simulation Experiment of a Press Roller Based on a Lemniscate-Shaped Curve in Rice–Wheat Rotation Region of China

Abstract

In order to solve the problems of high forward-resistance and serious soil adhesion in a rice–wheat rotation area, the smooth press roller of a wheat planter in a rice–wheat rotation area was selected as the research object. The low resistance and the adhesion structure of the press roller on a lemniscate-shaped curve were considered, and the geometric design method was adopted to modify the geometric structure of the smooth press roller. A simulation model of the roller–soil interaction was designed using the EDEM2020 software (DEM Solutions Ltd., Edinburgh, Scotland, UK), to investigate the behavior of soil adhering to the surface of the press roller, as well as the effects of the structure and the working parameters on soil adhesion and forward resistance. In addition, the numerical simulation method was combined with the central-plane composite response test scheme to perform the simulation test, using Design-Expert 10.0.4 software (Stat-Ease Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA). In this test, the forward speed, the axial spacing, and the bulge height were taken as the test factors. On this basis, the working performance of the lemniscate curve type of the press roller was evaluated by establishing a response surface for soil adhesion and forward resistance. With the reduction in soil adhesion and the working resistance as constraints, the optimization was carried out under the condition of a forward speed of 7 km/h. Under a forward speed of 7 km/h, an axial spacing of 40.7–46.8 mm, and a bulge height of 9.3–11.5 mm, the soil adhesion was less than 70 g and the forward resistance was less than 50 N, meaning that the working performance of the lemniscate curve type of the press roller meets the requirements for actual production. In short, this research provides a new idea and reference for the application of a press roller in a rice–wheat rotation area.