Adjustable Return Pan Paddles for Side-Hill Crop Distribution

Solution Overview

Problem

Combine harvesters face challenges in distributing crop material evenly to the stratification pan when operating on side hills due to gravity-induced material flow towards the lowest side, affecting the efficiency of the cleaning process.

Innovation Solution

A return pan system with adjustable paddles controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU) and inclinometer to adjust the paddle position based on the combine's slope, ensuring material is directed uphill to the stratification pan.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the combine operates on side hills with a conventional return pan, then the combine can harvest on varied terrain, but the material distribution to the stratification pan becomes uneven due to gravity-induced flow towards the lowest side

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to operate on side hillsVSAvoidmaterial distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The return pan system transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic one by incorporating adjustable paddles that can be repositioned based on the combine's operating conditions. The paddles are moved to different positions depending on whether the combine is operating on level ground or side hills, allowing the system to adapt to varying terrain while maintaining proper material distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses sensors to detect the combine's operating conditions (such as bank angle or terrain slope) and provides feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables the control system to automatically adjust the paddle positions on the return pan to compensate for gravity-induced material flow, ensuring uniform distribution regardless of the terrain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the return pan allows gravity-induced material flow on side hills, then material moves naturally towards the lowest side, but cleaning efficiency decreases due to uneven material distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenatural material flowVSAvoidcleaning efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustable paddles are positioned to counteract the gravity-induced material flow before the material can accumulate unevenly on the return pan. By placing the paddles in appropriate positions based on detected operating conditions, the system preemptively prevents the harmful effect of uneven material distribution, directing material flow toward the stratification pan even when operating on side hills.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If fixed paddle positions are used on the return pan, then the system is simple and reliable, but material distribution cannot be optimized for different operating conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to different slopes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The return pan system transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic one by incorporating adjustable paddles that can be repositioned based on the combine's operating conditions. The paddles are moved to different positions depending on whether the combine is operating on level ground or side hills, allowing the system to adapt to varying terrain while maintaining proper material distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses sensors to detect the combine's operating conditions (such as bank angle or terrain slope) and provides feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables the control system to automatically adjust the paddle positions on the return pan to compensate for gravity-induced material flow, ensuring uniform distribution regardless of the terrain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances material distribution on side hills, improving the efficiency of the combine's cleaning process by preventing material from being distributed to the lowest side, thereby optimizing the stratification and cleaning efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an inclinometer which measures the angle of the slope of the combine to the horizontal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

distributing crop material evenly to the stratification pan when operating on side hills due to gravity-induced material flow towards the lowest side

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS12446489B2Return pan for an agricultural combine

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 AGCO INT GMBH

AI summary

A crop processing system in a combine harvester for directing grain and MOG on a return pan, having a crop processor arranged to thresh and separate grain from a crop stream, a return pan located below a rear portion of the crop processor to collect separated material falling from the crop processor and convey the material forward with respect to the normal forward direction of travel of the combine harvester, a plurality of paddles on the return pan, an inclinometer which measures the angle of the slope of the combine to the horizontal, and an ECU coupled to the paddles and able to command one or more actuators coupled to the paddles and adjust them to a preferred position according to the slope of the combine.