Adjustable Deflector Control for Crop Residue Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural harvesting machines face challenges in evenly distributing crop residue due to uneven flow from threshing systems, leading to unbalanced distribution across the field, which affects crop growth and equipment functionality, and existing solutions require manual intervention for deflector adjustments.
Innovation Solution
An automated control system that uses sensors to monitor side-to-side crop residue flow and adjusts an adjustable deflector's position via an actuator mechanism to balance the flow, ensuring equal distribution without human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual adjustment of the deflector is used, then the deflector can be positioned to balance crop residue flow, but frequent manual interventions are required and operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to automatically detect crop residue flow imbalances and triggers the actuator to adjust the deflector position without operator intervention. The control system monitors hydraulic pressure differences from spreader motors and autonomously corrects distribution issues, making the system self-regulating and eliminating the need for manual adjustments during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor crop residue flow and hydraulic pressure from spreader motors. This feedback information is fed to the control system, which compares actual flow distribution against target values and automatically actuates the deflector when imbalances are detected, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains optimal distribution.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the deflector position is fixed, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to varying crop conditions and flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector position transitions from a fixed state to a dynamically adjustable state through the actuator mechanism. The system can real-time change the deflector angle based on sensor input from varying crop conditions, allowing adaptation to different crop types, moisture levels, and flow rates while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the deflector based on detected crop residue flow characteristics. By adjusting the deflector angle parameter in response to sensor feedback about crop conditions and flow rates, the system adapts to varying operating conditions without requiring complex redesign of the overall machine structure.
3Reliability
If automated control with sensors and actuators is implemented, then manual adjustments are eliminated and distribution consistency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system performs self-diagnosis and self-correction by monitoring its own performance through sensors and automatically adjusting the deflector when imbalances are detected. This self-service capability eliminates the need for operator intervention and maintains consistent distribution while keeping the control logic relatively simple and intuitive.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated control system that uses sensors to detect flow imbalances and electronically actuates the deflector. This substitution of manual operation with sensor-based detection and electronic actuation improves distribution consistency while the complexity is managed through straightforward control logic that directly responds to measured parameters.
Data Source
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Figure 4
AI summary
A control system (80), and the method of use thereof, for controlling the positioning of an adjustable deflector (62) employed to transition or redirect a flow of crop residue (B, C) from an axially arranged threshing or separating system of an agricultural combine (20) to and through a chopper assembly (24) and into a crop residue distribution system (26) for distributing the residue onto a field, and more particularly, to a control system that is responsive to changes in the amounts of crop residue being distributed by side-by-side spreader assemblies (52) of the crop residue distribution system to alter the positioning of the adjustable deflector (62) to change the flow of crop residue and to more closely balance and equalize the amounts of crop residue being distributed by the side-by-side spreader assemblies (52) of the crop residue distribution system.