RESEARCH ON OPTIMIZATION OF VIBRATION EAR PICKING PARAMETERS BASED ON CORN PLANT VIBRATION RESPONSE CHARACTERISTICS AND FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

To reduce maize ear damage caused by ear-picking rollers during maize harvesting and to improve ear-picking efficiency, this study investigates the vibration response characteristics of maize plants and conducts comprehensive experimental research.Current research on vibration ear-picking predominantly conducts on the structural design and parameter optimization of ear-picking mechanisms, with comparatively limited attention given to the dynamic response patterns of maize plants under vibrational excitation. Therefore, it is essential to conduct an in-depth investigation into the mechanical behavior and vibration response characteristics of maize plants during the maize ear detachment process. In this study, the mechanical behavior of ear-bearing maize plants during the vibration ear-picking process was first analyzed, and a theoretical model was established. The optimal acceleration range for low-damage and high-efficiency ear-plant separation was identified, and the key parameters affecting ear-picking performance—namely amplitude, frequency, and clamping position—were determined. Based on the slope algorithm and response surface methodology, combined with finite element analysis, this study quantitatively evaluates the influence of various vibration parameters on the acceleration score Sz at the ear-bearing region. A predictive model was established using a Box-Behnken experimental design, identifying the optimal parameter combination as an amplitude of 8 mm, a frequency of 18 Hz, and a clamping position of 106 mm. This model enables the quantitative analysis of excitation forces acting on the ear during the ear-picking process and provides a theoretical foundation for optimizing the structure of the excitation waveform, thereby offering valuable guidance for the subsequent optimization and design of vibration ear-picking systems.