MEASURING DEVICE FOR THE FLOW OF MATERIAL PROVIDED BY A HARVESTING MACHINE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an agricultural harvesting machine with a measuring device for examining a material flow conveyed by the harvesting machine and a corresponding measuring device.

[0002] Agricultural harvesting machines convey and process crops, with the conveyed crop forming a conveyed crop flow within the machine. It is of interest to examine the properties of the crop conveyed by the harvesting machine during ongoing harvesting operations.

[0003] According to EP 2 586 285 B1, the investigation of a crop flow can be carried out, for example, using a measuring device based on near-infrared spectroscopy. Furthermore, known measuring devices for this purpose have an optical detection device arranged in the crop flow, which detects light reflected from the crop, which is irradiated with a light source. A signal-connected evaluation device with a radiation detector analyzes the spectrum of the detected light in order to derive properties of the crop. US 2006 / 027750 A1 discloses a measuring device with two operating modes, the second operating mode being solely for cleaning the measuring device.

[0004] In addition to analyzing the crop flow from the harvesting machine, analyzing the machine's operating fluids is also relevant, but requires a separate measuring device, which is disadvantageous in terms of space and cost. Determining the properties of the harvesting machine's operating fluids allows, for example, the optimization of the machine's operation and / or timely maintenance. In particular, the use of multiple measuring devices, each containing a NIR sensor, results in a cost disadvantage.

[0005] The present invention is based on the objective of providing an improved or at least an alternative embodiment of an agricultural harvesting machine and / or a measuring device, whereby in particular a reduction in manufacturing costs is achieved.

[0006] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0007] The present invention is based on the general idea that a measuring device can be used to detect light reflected from a conveyed crop flow as well as light reflected from a conveyed operating fluid flow. This reduces the number of measuring devices required, thereby lowering manufacturing costs. As a result, in agricultural harvesting machines, properties of both the crop and the operating fluid can be measured, thus enabling optimization of the machine's operation.

[0008] The agricultural harvesting machine according to the invention has one, and in particular only one, measuring device for investigating a material flow conveyed by the harvesting machine. A material flow can be understood as a harvested crop flow and / or an operating fluid flow. A harvested crop flow is understood to be crop transported through a conveying channel of the harvesting machine and harvested by means of the harvesting machine. While harvested and conveyed crop forms a conveyed crop flow, an operating fluid conveyed in the harvesting machine forms a conveyed operating fluid flow. The operating fluid is required for the operation of the harvesting machine.

[0009] The agricultural harvesting machine and / or the measuring device may have at least one light source. This light source can illuminate the conveyed material flow with light, in particular with broadband or white light. The measuring device includes an optical detection device designed to detect light reflected from the conveyed material flow. An evaluation device connected to the measuring device can analyze a spectrum of the detected light in order to derive properties of the conveyed material flow.

[0010] The measuring device has a first operating mode in which the optical detection device detects light reflected from a stream of crop material conveyed by the harvesting machine. In this first operating mode, the properties of the conveyed crop material stream can be derived.

[0011] The measuring device has a second operating mode in which the optical detection device detects light reflected from a flow of operating fluid conveyed by the harvesting machine. In this second operating mode, the properties of the conveyed operating fluid flow can be derived.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention, the measuring device comprises at least one adjustable component. This adjustable component is movable between a first position and a second position. In other words, the adjustable component can be positioned relative to the optical detection device in the first position and in the second position, which is spaced apart from the first position. The adjustable component can also be positioned in a position between the first and second positions. When the adjustable component is moved from the first position to the second position or vice versa, it can be displaced and / or rotated.

[0013] In the first operating mode of the measuring device, the adjustable component is arranged in the first position so that the optical detection device detects light reflected from the conveyed crop flow, while in the second operating mode of the measuring device, the adjustable component is arranged in the second position so that the optical detection device detects light reflected from the conveyed operating fluid flow.

[0014] In the first position, the adjustable component can be arranged so that the light from the light source illuminates essentially, and in particular exclusively, the conveyed crop flow. In the second position, the adjustable component can be arranged so that the light from the light source also illuminates the conveyed operating fluid flow. It can be provided that in the second position of the adjustable component, the light from the light source illuminates essentially, and in particular exclusively, the conveyed operating fluid flow.

[0015] In an advantageous further development of the solution according to the invention, it is provided that the measuring device has at least one line section, wherein the line section is through which the conveyed operating fluid flows, and wherein the line section is optically transparent.

[0016] An optically transparent pipe section allows essentially both light from the light source and essentially reflected light, in particular light reflected from the conveyed operating fluid flow, to pass through. In other words, the optically transparent pipe section allows transmission of both the light from the light source and the reflected light.

[0017] The pipe section can have a pipe body made of optically transparent material, with a flow channel for the conveyed operating fluid flow formed within the pipe body. The conveyed operating fluid flow can enter the flow channel of the pipe body through an inlet opening, then flow through the flow channel and exit the pipe body through an outlet opening. The inlet opening can be connected to a fluid-tight inlet line for the conveyed operating fluid flow. The outlet opening can also be connected to a fluid-tight outlet line for the conveyed operating fluid flow. The inlet line and / or the outlet line can be more flexible than the pipe body.

[0018] The conduit body can be cuboid in shape. It can be provided that the inlet and outlet openings of a cuboid conduit body are arranged on the same side surface, in particular the same rectangular side surfaces. It can be provided that the flow channel has a substantially U-shaped profile, in particular a U-shaped profile. A U-shaped profile has the advantage, for example, that with a cross-sectional area of ​​the flow channel that is constant with respect to the flow direction of the operating fluid, the conveyed operating fluid flow is exposed to the light from the light source for a longer period of time. Thus, the amount of light reflected by the conveyed operating fluid flow can also be achieved without changing the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow channel.

[0019] In an advantageous further development of the solution according to the invention, it is provided that the line section forms the adjustable component or that a mirror unit forms the adjustable component.

[0020] If the pipe section forms the adjustable component, the pipe section can be arranged in the first position in the first operating mode of the measuring device so that the optical detection device detects light reflected from the conveyed crop flow, while in the second operating mode of the measuring device the pipe section is arranged in the second position so that the optical detection device detects light reflected from the conveyed operating fluid flow.

[0021] The mirror unit can include a mirror that allows for the reflection of the light from the light source and the reflected light, in particular the light reflected from the conveyed operating fluid flow. The mirror unit can be designed such that the mirror is displaceable and / or rotatable relative to the detection device. If the mirror unit has an adjustable component, the mirror unit, and in particular the mirror, can be arranged in the first position in the first operating mode of the measuring device, so that the optical detection device detects light reflected from the conveyed crop flow, while in the second operating mode of the measuring device the mirror unit, and in particular the mirror, is arranged in the second position, so that the optical detection device detects light reflected from the conveyed operating fluid flow.In this second position, the light from the light source can be deflected so that it only reaches the conveyed flow of operating fluid. Furthermore, only the light reflected from the conveyed operating fluid flow is directed to the optical detection device by the mirror unit in this second position.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention, the harvesting machine has a conveying channel for conveying the crop flow. In other words, the crop flows through the conveying channel. In particular, the crop flows along a specific direction. The conveying channel has at least one wall opening in which an optically transparent partition plate is arranged. This partition plate can be adapted to the wall opening in such a way that no crop can flow out of the conveying channel through the wall opening.

[0023] An optically transparent partition plate allows essentially both light from the light source and essentially reflected light, particularly light reflected from the conveyed crop flow, to pass through. In other words, the optically transparent partition plate allows the transmission of both the light from the light source and the reflected light.

[0024] The optical detection device is arranged at a distance from the separating plate, with the adjustable component in the second position being at least partially, and in particular completely, positioned between the optical detection device and the separating plate. This ensures that the conveyed operating fluid flow is illuminated by the light from the light source, and that light reflected from the conveyed operating fluid flow is detected by the optical detection device.

[0025] The optical detection device can be arranged at a distance from the separating plate in a transverse direction, wherein the adjustable component can be designed to be displaceable in a displacement direction, the displacement direction being oriented transversely and / or perpendicular to the transverse direction, while the displacement direction is oriented parallel to the flow direction of the harvested material. The adjustable component can be arranged in a transverse direction from the optical detection device and from the conveying channel, in particular from the optically transparent separating plate.

[0026] In an advantageous further development of the solution according to the invention, a lubricant, in particular oil, forms the operating fluid flow of the agricultural harvesting machine. This allows the conveyed lubricant, in particular oil, to be exposed to light, especially broadband or white light. In the second operating mode of the measuring device, the optical detection device can detect light reflected by the conveyed lubricant, in particular oil. An evaluation device connected to the measuring device can analyze a spectrum of the detected light in order to derive properties, in particular the composition, of the conveyed lubricant, in particular oil.

[0027] In an advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention, the optical detection device comprises one, and in particular only one, NIR sensor. An NIR sensor is a sensor that operates on the basis of near-infrared spectroscopy. The NIR sensor can detect, with wavelength resolution, the intensity of the light reflected by the passing particles of the crop stream and / or by the passing particles of the operating fluid stream.

[0028] In an advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention, the harvesting machine is a combine harvester, a forage harvester, and / or a baler. The harvesting machine can, in particular, be a self-propelled combine harvester or a self-propelled forage harvester.

[0029] Furthermore, the invention relates to a measuring device for the agricultural harvesting machine described above. The preceding section of the description, which describes the measuring device, also describes at least partially, and in particular completely, this measuring device. The measuring device is designed to examine a flow of material conveyed by the harvesting machine. The measuring device includes an optical detection device designed to detect light reflected from the conveyed material flow. The measuring device also has a first operating mode in which the optical detection device can detect light reflected from a flow of harvested material conveyed by the harvesting machine. Furthermore, the measuring device has a second operating mode in which the optical detection device can detect light reflected from a flow of operating fluid conveyed by the harvesting machine.

[0030] In an advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention, the measuring device comprises at least one adjustable component, wherein the adjustable component is adjustable between a first position and a second position. In the first operating mode of the measuring device, the adjustable component is arranged in the first position so that the optical detection device can detect light reflected from the conveyed crop flow. In the second operating mode of the measuring device, the adjustable component is arranged in the second position so that the optical detection device can detect light reflected from the conveyed operating fluid flow.

[0031] In an advantageous further development of the solution according to the invention, it is provided that the adjustable component forms an optically transparent line section for the agricultural harvesting machine, wherein an operating fluid flow of the agricultural harvesting machine can be conveyed through the line section.

[0032] In an advantageous further development of the solution according to the invention, it is provided that the measuring device has an optically transparent separating plate, wherein the optical detection device is arranged at a distance from the separating plate, and wherein the adjustable component is arranged at least partially between the optical detection device and the separating plate in the second position.

[0033] In an advantageous further development of the solution according to the invention, it is provided that the optical detection device has an NIR sensor.

[0034] In an advantageous further development of the solution according to the invention, it is provided that a lubricant, in particular oil, can be conveyed through the pipe section of the agricultural harvesting machine.

[0035] Further important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the drawings and the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0036] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without leaving the scope of the present invention.

[0037] Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical, similar, or functionally identical components.

[0038] They show, schematically, Fig. 1 an agricultural harvesting machine with a measuring device for examining a material flow conveyed by the harvesting machine, wherein the measuring device is shown in the first operating mode, Fig. 2 the agricultural harvesting machine of the Fig. 1 , wherein the measuring device is shown in the first operating mode, Fig. 3 another agricultural harvesting machine with a measuring device for investigating a material flow conveyed by the harvesting machine, wherein the measuring device is shown in the first operating mode, Fig. 4 the agricultural harvesting machine of the Fig. 3 , where the measuring device is shown in the second operating mode.

[0039] Fig. 1 Figure 1 symbolically depicts an agricultural harvesting machine. This harvesting machine can be, for example, a combine harvester, forage harvester, or baler. Furthermore, the harvesting machine can be a self-propelled combine harvester or a self-propelled forage harvester.

[0040] Such an agricultural harvesting machine 1 can travel through a crop, cutting crop 19 and subsequently collecting this cut crop 19, whereby this cut crop 19 forms a material flow 3 in the form of a crop flow 7, which is conveyed within the harvesting machine 1 along a flow direction 18. The crop flow 7 is conveyed in a conveying channel 15, which has at least one wall opening 16 in which an optically transparent separating plate 17 is arranged. In contrast, the material of the conveying channel 15 is not optically transparent.

[0041] The agricultural harvesting machine 1 comprises a measuring device 2 designed to examine the material flow 3 conveyed by the harvesting machine 1. The agricultural harvesting machine 1 and / or the measuring device 2 have at least one light source (not shown). The conveyed material flow 3 is illuminated by this light source, in particular with broadband or white light.

[0042] When the conveyed material stream 3 is exposed to the light source, a portion of the light radiation is also reflected, the spectrum of which depends on the properties of the conveyed material stream 3. For this purpose, the measuring device 2 has an optical detection device 4, which is designed to detect light 5 reflected from the conveyed material stream 3. For this purpose, the optical detection device 4 can, for example, comprise exactly one NIR sensor. The optical detection device 4 is arranged at a distance from the separating plate 17 with respect to a transverse direction 21.

[0043] In addition to the material flow 3 in the form of a crop flow 7, the agricultural harvesting machine 1 also has another material flow 3 in the form of a conveyed operating fluid flow 9. For example, a lubricant, in particular oil, can form the operating fluid flow 9 of the agricultural harvesting machine 1.

[0044] The measuring device 2 has at least one line section 13 through which the conveyed operating fluid flow 9 flows, wherein the line section 13 is optically transparent.

[0045] The pipe section 13 has a pipe body 22 made of optically transparent material, wherein a flow channel 23 for the conveyed operating fluid flow 9 is formed in the pipe body 22. It is provided that the conveyed operating fluid flow 9 can flow into the flow channel 23 of the pipe body 22 through an inlet opening 24 of the pipe body 22, then flows through the flow channel 23 of the pipe body 22, and flows out of the flow channel 23 and the pipe body 22 through an outlet opening 25 of the pipe body 22. The inlet opening 24 can be fluid-tightly connected to an inlet line (not shown) for the conveyed operating fluid flow 9. The outlet opening 25 can be fluid-tightly connected to an outlet line (not shown) for the conveyed operating fluid flow 9.The conduit body 22 is cuboid in shape, with the inlet opening 24 and the outlet opening 25 arranged on the same side surface of the conduit body 22. The flow channel 23 has a substantially U-shaped profile.

[0046] The previous character description matches the Fig. 1 , Fig. 2 , Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 The differences between these figures are described below. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 Figure 2 shows a measuring device in a first operating mode and in a second operating mode. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 show another measuring device 2 in a first operating mode and in a second operating mode.

[0047] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 The conductor section 13 forms an adjustable component 10. In the Fig. 1 The measuring device 2 is shown in a first operating mode in which the optical detection device 4 detects light 6 which was reflected from the crop flow 7 conveyed by the harvesting machine 1. In the Fig. 2 The measuring device 2 is shown in a second operating mode in which the optical detection device 4 detects light 8 reflected by the operating fluid flow 9 conveyed by the harvesting machine 1. For this purpose, the adjustable component 10 or the line section 13 was moved with respect to a displacement direction 20. In the Fig. 1 The adjustable component 10 or the line section 13 is arranged in a first position 11 in the first operating mode of the measuring device 2, so that the optical detection device 4 detects light 6 reflected from the conveyed crop flow 7. In the Fig. 2 In the second operating mode of the measuring device 2, the adjustable component 10 or the line section 13 is arranged in a second position 12, so that the optical detection device 4 detects light 8 reflected from the conveyed operating fluid flow 9.

[0048] In the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 A mirror unit 14 forms an adjustable component 10. In the Fig. 3 The measuring device 2 is shown in a first operating mode in which the optical detection device 4 detects light 6 which was reflected from the crop flow 7 conveyed by the harvesting machine 1. In the Fig. 4 The measuring device 2 is shown in a second operating mode in which the optical detection device 4 detects light 8 reflected from the operating fluid flow 9 conveyed by the harvesting machine 1. For this purpose, the adjustable component 10 or the mirror unit 14 was moved with respect to a displacement direction 20. In the Fig. 3 In the first operating mode of the measuring device 2, the adjustable component 10 or the mirror unit 14 is arranged in a first position 11, such that the optical detection device 4 detects light 6 reflected from the conveyed crop flow 7. Fig. 2 In the second operating mode of the measuring device 2, the adjustable component 10 or the mirror unit 14 is arranged in a second position 12, such that the optical detection device 4 detects light 8 reflected from the conveyed operating fluid flow 9. In this position, the light 8 reflected from the conveyed operating fluid flow 9 is reflected to the optical detection device 4 via the adjustable component 10 or the mirror unit 14. Bezugszeichenliste

[0049] 1 Agricultural harvesting machine 2 Measuring device 3 Material flow 4 Detection device 5 Reflected light 6 Reflected light from the crop flow 7 Crop flow 8 Reflected light from the operating fluid flow 9 Operating fluid flow 10 Adjustable component 11 First position 12 Second position 13 Pipe section 14 Mirror unit 15 Conveyor channel 16 Wall opening 17 Dividing plate 18 Crop flow direction 19 Crop 20 Displacement direction 21 Transverse direction 22 Pipe body 23 Flow channel 24 Inlet opening 25 Outlet opening

Claims

1. Measuring device (2) for an agricultural harvesting machine (1), - wherein the measuring device (2) is designed for investigating a flow of material (3) conveyed through the harvesting machine (1), - wherein the measuring device (2) has an optical detecting device (4), which is designed for detecting a light (5) reflected by the conveyed flow of material (3), - wherein the measuring device (2) has a first operating mode, in which the optical detecting device (4) can detect light (5, 6) which has been reflected by a flow of a crop (3, 7) conveyed through the harvesting machine (1), characterized in that the measuring device (2) has a second operating mode, in which the optical detecting device (4) can detect light (5, 8) which has been reflected by a flow of an operating fluid (3, 9) conveyed through the harvesting machine (1).

2. Measuring device (2) according to Claim 1, characterized - in that the measuring device (2) has at least one adjustable component (10), - wherein the adjustable component (10) is adjustable between a first position (11) and a second position (12), - wherein, in the first operating mode of the measuring device (2), the adjustable component (10) is arranged in the first position (11), so that the optical detecting device (4) can detect light (5, 6) reflected by the conveyed flow of a crop (3, 7), - wherein, in the second operating mode of the measuring device (2), the adjustable component (10) is arranged in the second position (12), so that the optical detecting device (4) can detect light (5, 8) reflected by the conveyed flow of an operating fluid (3, 9).

3. Measuring device (2) according to Claim 2, characterized - in that the adjustable component (10) forms an optically transparent section of line (13) for the agricultural harvesting machine (1), - wherein a flow of an operating fluid (3, 9) of the agricultural harvesting machine (1) can be conveyed through the section of line (13).

4. Measuring device (2) according to Claims 2 and 3, characterized - in that the measuring device (2) has an optically transparent separating plate (17), - wherein the optical detecting device (4) is arranged at a distance from the separating plate (17), - wherein, in the second position (12), the adjustable component (10) is arranged at least partially between the optical detecting device (4) and the separating plate (17).

5. Measuring device (2) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the optical detecting device (4) has an NIR sensor.

6. Measuring device (2) according to one of Claims 3 to 5, characterized in that a lubricant, in particular oil, of the agricultural harvesting machine (1) can be conveyed through the section of line (13).

7. Agricultural harvesting machine (1), comprising a measuring device according to Claim 1.

8. Agricultural harvesting machine (1) according to Claim 7, characterized - in that the measuring device (2) has at least one adjustable component (10), - wherein the adjustable component (10) is adjustable between a first position (11) and a second position (12), - wherein, in the first operating mode of the measuring device (2), the adjustable component (10) is arranged in the first position (11), so that the optical detecting device (4) detects light (5, 6) reflected by the conveyed flow of a crop (3, 7), - wherein, in the second operating mode of the measuring device (2), the adjustable component (10) is arranged in the second position (12), so that the optical detecting device (4) detects light (5, 8) reflected by the conveyed flow of an operating fluid (3, 9).

9. Agricultural harvesting machine (1) according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized - in that the measuring device (2) has at least one section of line (13), - wherein the section of line (13) is flowed through by the conveyed flow of an operating fluid (3, 9), - wherein the section of line (13) is of an optically transparent design.

10. Agricultural harvesting machine (1) according to Claim 9, characterized - in that the section of line (13) forms the adjustable component (10), or - in that a mirror unit (14) forms the adjustable component (10).

11. Agricultural harvesting machine (1) according to one of Claims 8 to 10, characterized - in that the harvesting machine (1) has a conveying channel (15) for conveying the flow of a crop (7), - wherein the conveying channel (15) has at least one wall opening (16), in which an optically transparent separating plate (17) is arranged, - wherein the optical detecting device (4) is arranged at a distance from the separating plate (17), - wherein, in the second position (12), the adjustable component (10) is arranged at least partially between the optical detecting device (4) and the separating plate (17).

12. Agricultural harvesting machine (1) according to one of Claims 7 to 11, characterized in that a lubricant, in particular oil, forms the flow of an operating fluid (9) of the agricultural harvesting machine (1).

13. Agricultural harvesting machine (1) according to one of Claims 7 to 12, characterized in that the optical detecting device (4) has an NIR sensor.

14. Agricultural harvesting machine (1) according to one of Claims 7 to 13, characterized in that the harvesting machine (1) is a combine harvester, a forage harvester or a baler.