DESIGN AND SIMULATION OF SCREW CONVEYOR FOR SESAME COMBINE HARVESTER CUTTING TABLE

Aiming at the problems of high crushing rate and severe loss of sesame capsules caused by mechanical collision in the conveying link of the header of the traditional sesame combine harvester, a low-damage screw conveying device has been optimized and designed. This study analyzed the operation mechanism of the low-damage screw conveyor based on the characteristics of the sesame capsule and determined the key parameters affecting the crushing rate of the sesame capsule, including diameter, pitch and rotational speed. Taking the crushing rate as the evaluation index and with the aid of EDEM discrete element simulation technology, the interaction model of sesame capsule - sesame stem - low-damage screw conveying device was constructed, and the single-factor and Box-Behnken response surface experimental designs were systematically carried out. Through simulation analysis and optimization, the optimal parameter combination of the low-damage screw conveyor device was determined: diameter 302 mm, pitch 422 mm, and rotational speed 200 r/min. Under these conditions, the crushing rate of sesame capsules can be reduced to less than 3%. This study provides a theoretical basis and technical reference for the structural optimization of the screw conveyor device of the sesame combine harvester and the reduction of the header loss rate.