Design and Numerical Simulation of a Device for Film–Soil Vibrating Conveying and Separation Based on DEM–MBD Coupling

To address the issue of poor film–soil separation in traditional subsoil residual film recovery machines, which leads to recovered film containing excessive soil, a film–soil conveying and separation device was designed. By establishing a mechanical model for the balanced conveyance of the film–soil composite, the range of conveyor chain inclination angles enabling stable transport was determined. Using RecurDyn 2023 simulation software, a sensitivity analysis was conducted on the effects of vibrating wheel speed, vibrating wheel mounting distance, and conveyor chain inclination angle on vibration characteristics. This analysis revealed that vibrating wheel speed and mounting distance have a significant impact on the vibrating mechanism. Based on the DEM–MBD (Discrete Element Method—Multi-Body Dynamics) coupling approach, a discrete element simulation model was built for the film–soil vibrating conveyor device, residual film, and soil. Using the primary conveyor chain speed, vibrating wheel speed, and mounting distance as experimental factors, and soil content rate and film leakage rate as experimental indicators, single-factor tests and a three-factor, five-level orthogonal rotational composite design test were performed. The results showed that, at a primary conveyor chain speed of 1.61 m/s, a vibrating wheel speed of 186.2 r/min, and a mounting distance of 688.2 mm, the soil content rate was 18.11% and the film leakage rate was 7.61%. The film–soil conveying and separation process was also analyzed via simulation. Field validation tests using the optimal parameter combination yielded relative errors of 3.43% and 5.51%, respectively, demonstrating effective film–soil separation. This research provides a theoretical foundation and equipment support for addressing residual film pollution in the cultivated layer of Xinjiang region.