Adjustable Chopping Assembly Outlet for Combine Harvester
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural combine harvesters face challenges in efficiently chopping and distributing crop residues due to varying crop characteristics, which can lead to clogging and inefficient spreading, especially when dealing with high-density or wet residues.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable outlet chopping assembly in the combine harvester, controlled by a processor communicating with measurement devices, adjusts the outlet area based on crop characteristics to prevent clogging and optimize residue distribution by increasing or decreasing the outlet size in response to load conditions and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the outlet area of the chopping assembly is increased to prevent clogging, then the reliability of residue discharge is improved, but the productivity of residue distribution decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet area of the chopping assembly is made dynamically adjustable through an actuator system controlled by a control processor. The outlet can change its area between a first area (larger) for preventing clogging and a second area (smaller) for optimizing distribution, allowing the system to adapt to different operating conditions rather than being fixed at one size.
2Productivity
If the outlet area is decreased to optimize residue distribution, then the productivity of residue distribution is improved, but the reliability of residue discharge deteriorates due to clogging
Solution Approach 1:
A control processor monitors operating conditions and provides feedback control to the actuator that adjusts the outlet area. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically respond to clogging conditions by increasing the outlet area, and to optimize distribution by decreasing the outlet area when conditions are favorable, creating a closed-loop control system.
3Device complexity
If a fixed outlet design is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to varying crop characteristics deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The chopping assembly is designed with a universal outlet structure that can perform multiple functions by adjusting its area. The same outlet structure serves both as a large-area discharge opening for preventing clogging and as a small-area distribution opening for optimizing spread, eliminating the need for multiple fixed outlets of different sizes.
4Reliability
If the outlet area is increased to handle high-density residues, then the reliability of processing high-density crop plants is improved, but the productivity of spreading residues deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet area is dynamically adjusted based on the density characteristics of the residue being processed. When high-density residues are detected, the outlet area is increased to prevent clogging during processing. When the residue flow is manageable, the outlet area is decreased to concentrate and optimize the spreading pattern, improving distribution efficiency.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A chopping assembly (60) is configured to receive crop plants processed by an agricultural combine harvester (10). The chopping assembly (60) includes an inlet and a plurality of blades (175) rotatable about an axis. The plurality of blades (175) is positioned downstream of the inlet. The chopping assembly (60) also includes an outlet positioned downstream of the plurality of blades. The outlet is partially defined by a first wall and a second wall. The chopping assembly further includes an actuator coupled to the second wall. The actuator is configured to move the second wall (195) relative to the first wall (190). A control processor is in communication with the actuator. The control processor is configured to receive a first signal corresponding to a condition representative of a characteristic of the crop plants. The control processor is also configured to generate a second signal operable to control the actuator based on the condition.