IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jagris/v15y2025i13p1378-d1689166.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Influence Mechanism and Optimal Design of Flexible Spring-Tooth Reel Mechanism for Soybean Pod-Shattering Reduction

Author

Listed:
  • Yuxuan Chen

    (College of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China)

  • Shiguo Wang

    (Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Science, Shihezi 832000, China)

  • Bin Li

    (Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Science, Shihezi 832000, China)

  • Yang Liu

    (Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Science, Shihezi 832000, China)

  • Zhong Tang

    (College of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
    Key Laboratory Equipment of Modern Agricultural Equipment and Technology, Jiangsu University, Ministry of Education, Zhenjiang 212013, China)

  • Xiaoying He

    (College of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China)

  • Jianpeng Jing

    (College of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China)

  • Weiwei Zhou

    (College of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China)

Abstract

As a vital oil and cereal crop in China, soybean requires efficient and low-loss harvesting to ensure food security and sustainable agricultural development. However, pod-shattering losses during soybean harvesting in Xinjiang remain severe due to low pod moisture content and poor mechanical strength, while existing studies lack a systematic analysis of the interaction mechanism between reeling devices and pods. The current research on soybean harvester headers predominantly focuses on conventional rigid designs, with limited exploration of flexible reel mechanisms and their biomechanical interactions with soybean pods. To address this, this study proposes an optimization method for low-loss harvesting technology based on mechanical-crop interaction mechanisms, integrating dynamic simulation, contact mechanics theory, and field experiments. Texture analyzer tests revealed pod-shattering force characteristics under different compression directions, showing that vertical compression exhibited the highest shattering risk with an average force of 14.3271 N. A collision model between the spring tooth and pods was established based on Hertz contact theory, demonstrating that reducing the elastic modulus of the spring tooth and increasing the contact area significantly minimized mechanical damage. Simulation verified that the PVC-nylon spring tooth reduced the maximum equivalent stress on pods by 90.3%. Furthermore, the trajectory analysis of spring-tooth tips indicated that effective pod-reeling requires a reel speed ratio (Δ) exceeding 1.0. Field tests with a square flexible spring tooth showed that the optimized reel reduced header loss to 1.371%, a significant improvement over conventional rigid teeth. This study provides theoretical and technical foundations for developing low-loss soybean harvesting equipment. Future work should explore multi-parameter collaborative optimization to enhance adaptability in complex field conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuxuan Chen & Shiguo Wang & Bin Li & Yang Liu & Zhong Tang & Xiaoying He & Jianpeng Jing & Weiwei Zhou, 2025. "Influence Mechanism and Optimal Design of Flexible Spring-Tooth Reel Mechanism for Soybean Pod-Shattering Reduction," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-22, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:13:p:1378-:d:1689166
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/13/1378/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/13/1378/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Cheng Hao & Dongjin Yang & Liyang Zhao & Jianguo Yang & Tao Wang & Junlin He, 2025. "Compressive Characteristics and Fracture Simulation of Cerasus Humilis Fruit," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-17, January.
    2. Depeng Li & Zhiming Wang & Zhenwei Liang & Fangyu Zhu & Tingbo Xu & Xinyang Cui & Peigen Zhao, 2022. "Analyzing Rice Grain Collision Behavior and Monitoring Mathematical Model Development for Grain Loss Sensors," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-14, June.
    3. Zhipeng Cao & Qiqiang Li & Linfeng Chen & Yang Zhou & Junshan Nie & Qi Chen & Yuanfeng Xiao & Shaohao Zhou & Lihua Zhang, 2025. "Structural Design and Testing of a Corn Header for Soybean–Corn Intercropping," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-17, January.
    4. Shiguo Wang & Bin Li & Shuren Chen & Zhong Tang & Weiwei Zhou & Xiaohu Guo, 2024. "Design and Performance Test of Soybean Profiling Header Suitable for Harvesting Bottom Pods on Film," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-16, June.
    5. Bochuan Ding & Zhenwei Liang & Yongqi Qi & Zhikang Ye & Jiahao Zhou, 2022. "Improving Cleaning Performance of Rice Combine Harvesters by DEM–CFD Coupling Technology," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-19, September.
    6. Zhenwei Liang & Jun Li & Jianmin Liang & Yifan Shao & Tengfei Zhou & Zengyong Si & Yaoming Li, 2022. "Investigation into Experimental and DEM Simulation of Guide Blade Optimum Arrangement in Multi-Rotor Combine Harvesters," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-14, March.
    7. Yaoming Li & Yanbin Liu & Kuizhou Ji & Ruiheng Zhu, 2022. "A Fault Diagnosis Method for a Differential Inverse Gearbox of a Crawler Combine Harvester Based on Order Analysis," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-14, August.
    8. Gaoliang Wang & Binghua He & Dianlei Han & He Zhang & Xinzhong Wang & Yongcheng Chen & Xuegeng Chen & Rongqiang Zhao & Guoyu Li, 2024. "Investigation of Collision Damage Mechanisms and Reduction Methods for Pod Pepper," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-17, January.
    9. Wei Wang & Xiaolan Lv & Zhongyi Yi, 2022. "Parameter Optimization of Reciprocating Cutter for Chinese Little Greens Based on Finite Element Simulation and Experiment," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-18, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Sheng Tai & Zhong Tang & Bin Li & Shiguo Wang & Xiaohu Guo, 2025. "Intelligent Recognition and Automated Production of Chili Peppers: A Review Addressing Varietal Diversity and Technological Requirements," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-26, May.
    2. Dianlei Han & Congxu Wang & He Zhang & Hao Pang & Xinzhong Wang & Xuegeng Chen & Xiangyu Wen, 2025. "Advances in Mechanized Harvesting Technologies and Equipment for Chili Peppers," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-34, May.
    3. Yuxuan Chen & Zhong Tang & Bin Li & Shiguo Wang & Yang Liu & Weiwei Zhou & Jianpeng Jing & Xiaoying He, 2025. "Analysis of Damage Characteristics and Fragmentation Simulation of Soybean Seeds Based on the Finite-Element Method," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-19, April.
    4. Jinbo Ren & Difa Bao & Zhi Liang & Chongsheng Yan & Junbo Wu & Xinhui Wu & Shuhe Zheng, 2025. "Parameter Optimization Design and Experimental Validation of a Header for Electric Rice Reaper Binders Employed in Hilly Regions," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-19, June.
    5. Sheng Tai & Zhong Tang & Bin Li & Shiguo Wang & Xiaohu Guo, 2025. "Cumin-Harvesting Mechanization of the Xinjiang Cotton–Cumin Intercropping System: Review of the Problem Status and Solutions," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-24, April.
    6. Weijian Liu & Xiwen Luo & Shan Zeng & Li Zeng & Zhiqiang Wen, 2022. "The Design and Test of the Chassis of a Triangular Crawler-Type Ratooning Rice Harvester," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-17, June.
    7. Cheng Shen & Zhong Tang & Maohua Xiao, 2023. "“Eyes”, “Brain”, “Feet” and “Hands” of Efficient Harvesting Machinery," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-3, September.
    8. Zhengrong Chen & Ruochen Wang & Renkai Ding & Bin Liu & Wei Liu & Dong Sun & Zhongyang Guo, 2025. "Research Progress and Future Prospects of Brake-by-Wire Technology for New Energy Vehicles," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-30, May.
    9. Xiaohu Guo & Shiguo Wang & Shuren Chen & Bin Li & Zhong Tang & Yifan Hu, 2024. "Impact of Structural Parameters on the Collision Characteristics and Coefficient of Restitution of Soybean Particles on Harvester’s Cleaning Screens," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-25, July.
    10. Jianpeng Jing & Hongyan Sun & Runzhi Liang & Shuren Chen & Zhong Tang & Xiaoying He & Yuxuan Chen, 2025. "Noise Testing of the Conveyor Trough Sprocket and Surface Noise Reduction Performance Evaluation of the Cavity Structure in a Combine Harvester," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-23, June.
    11. Yiyong Jiang & Ruochen Wang & Renkai Ding & Zeyu Sun & Yu Jiang & Wei Liu, 2025. "Research Review of Agricultural Machinery Power Chassis in Hilly and Mountainous Areas," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-37, May.
    12. Xu Chen & Xun He & Wanzhang Wang & Zhe Qu & Yuan Liu, 2022. "Study on the Technologies of Loss Reduction in Wheat Mechanization Harvesting: A Review," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-18, November.
    13. Yi Lian & Bangzhui Wang & Meiyan Sun & Kexin Que & Sijia Xu & Zhong Tang & Zhilong Huang, 2025. "Design of a Conveyer Trough Bolt Signal Acquisition System and Bayesian Ensemble Identification Method for Working State," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-29, April.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:13:p:1378-:d:1689166. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.