Authors

Abstract

This paper proposed a technical idea of joint operation of conveying and grading and developed a potato conveying and grading device with variable space to realize efficient grading in the field because of the difficulties of field grading in the process of potato harvesting in the hilly mountains of northwest China. Based on field measurement of potato size distribution, the clearance between rotating plates of potato conveying and grading device was determined. The key structural parameters of the rotating plate were obtained by referring to the structure and relevant parameters of the conveying and grading device. Moreover, the conveyor chain elevation angle of the conveying and grading device was determined through the dynamics analysis of potatoes on the conveying and grading device. The inclined plane test determined the inclination angle of the potato guide plate. To reduce the damage to potatoes in the process of conveying and grading, damage analysis was carried out. Finally, Field tests were conducted with conveyor chain elevation angle, unit forward speed, and the conveyor chain line speed as test factors, and the grading accuracy and the damage rate of the potato conveying and grading device as test indexes. The test results showed that when the conveyor chain elevation angle, unit forward speed, and conveyor chain line speed were 21.0°, 0.8 m/s, and 1.3 m/s, respectively, the grading accuracy was 91.4% and the rate of potato damage was 0.88%. The operational performance of the prototype was stable, and all the test evaluation indicators could meet the agronomic requirements of the potato harvester.

Abstract in Chinese

针对西北丘陵山区马铃薯收获过程中田间分级困难的问题，提出了输送分级联合作业的技术思路，并研制了一种变间距式马铃薯输送分级装置，以实现田间高效分级。在实地测量马铃薯尺寸分布基础上，确定马铃薯输送分级装置的转动板间隙。参考输送分级装置结构和相关参数，得到转动板关键结构参数。通过对输送分级装置上的马铃薯进行动力学分析，确定输送分级装置输送链的提升角度。通过斜面试验确定了导薯板的倾角。为了减少马铃薯在输送分级过程中的损伤，进行了损伤分析。最后，以输送链提升角度、机组前进速度和输送链线速度为试验因素，以马铃薯输送分级装置的分级准确率和损伤率为试验指标进行田间试验。试验结果表明，当输送链提升角度、机组前进速度和输送链线速度分别为21.0°、0.8m/s和1.3m/s时，分级准确率为91.4%，损伤率为0.88%。样机运行性能稳定，各项试验评价指标均满足马铃薯收获机的农艺要求。