Strategy for design improvement of a combine harvester

Abstract

Promising directions of design improvement of combine harvester by means of the maximal adaptation of algorithm of its impact on plants with different physical and mechanical properties are presented. The technological algorithm of work with grain heap is optimized. It is proposed to separate previously the light impurities directly in the stripper header, the rear wall of which should be equipped with inertial tilted-plate separator. The light impurities are removed along with excessive airflow from the stripper header, but heavier free grain and tailings remain inside. In the terms of design, such technical effect is achieved due to the fact that the separator is formed by a set of longitudinal plates mounted with overlapping and imbedding of greater part of the cross section of each of them into the body of stripper header. The cross section of the plate has a curved surface, and its concavity is oriented towards the rear wall of the body. Remaining grain heap (tailings and free grain) is subjected to the secondary separation on perforated bottom of grain conveyor. Elongated holes are made in bottom; they have a particular cross-sectional shape and are inclined from the motion direction of conveyor flights on acute angle. As a result, the awns of spikes do not catch hold of the rear edge of the hole, and climb up the angled surface to the level of bottom of grain conveyor. Implementation of set of these technical solutions in the design of modern combine harvester will increase its performance when stripping of standing plants with eliminating the possibility of free grain crushing by working organs of the threshing device.