Optimization of the number of paddy field blades by modeling the mass and power consumption of dynamic splashes

Abstract

The paddy field blade is a key component in the machinery of transplanting rice cultivation. The mud splashing efficiency and power consumption are closely related to the number of blades. Therefore, optimizing the number of paddy field blades is helpful to improve the efficiency of this transplanter and reduce its power consumption. However, this research faces great challenges due to the specific geometry of the blade, unfamiliar mud properties, and few references. In this paper, a method was proposed to calculate the dynamic splashed mud quantity based on kinematics and the motion path of the blade. Mechanics analysis, the Bingham fluid property, and the law of conservation of energy were applied to resolve the power consumption of the rice sprout transplanter machinery related to the splashed mud. With the proposed method, the number of paddy field blades, the efficiency, and the power consumption were all researched during the mud throwing period. An experiment investigating the efficiency and power consumption of mud splashing with the control variables method was designed to verify and modify the theoretical model. Then, the proposed method, CFD simulation, and experimental methods were applied to calculate the volume of splashed mud and power consumption. The results of the research show that the modified theoretical model is accurate and reveals the law between the number of paddy field blades, the efficiency of mud splashing, and power consumption for the transplanting machinery.