Adjustable Width Distribution Device for Uniform Crop Carpet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crop wagons face challenges in achieving a uniform and consistent crop carpet thickness and width during unloading into a silo, requiring experienced operators and increasing complexity with varying crop compositions and widths, which complicates subsequent processing and extends processing time.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable width distribution device with actively adjustable guide rails and transverse conveyors, controlled by an unloading control device, allows for real-time adjustment of carpet width and thickness, ensuring uniformity even under varying conditions, and automates the unloading process to reduce operator demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual estimation and experience-based operation are used to control unloading speed and driving speed, then the operator can handle simple cases, but the uniformity of crop carpet thickness and width deteriorates when crop composition varies or different carpet widths are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual estimation and experience-based mechanical control with an automated control system that calculates unloading feed speed and driving speed based on measured crop quantity and silo dimensions. This substitution of mechanical/manual control with automated calculation and control ensures precise and uniform carpet deposition regardless of crop composition variations or desired carpet width changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the parameters of unloading feed speed and driving speed based on measured crop quantity, silo length, and desired carpet thickness. By changing these parameters automatically rather than relying on fixed manual settings, the system maintains uniform carpet quality across varying crop compositions and different width requirements.
2Ease of operation
If the unloading process is simplified for ease of operation, then operator skill requirements are reduced, but the precision and uniformity of the crop carpet deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically measuring crop quantity, calculating appropriate unloading and driving speeds, and controlling the unloading process without requiring operator intervention for complex calculations. The control device autonomously manages the unloading feed speed and driving speed coordination, making the operation easy while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback by measuring the actual crop quantity in the cargo space and using this information to adjust and control the unloading process parameters. This closed-loop feedback ensures that the carpet uniformity is maintained while the operator simply needs to initiate the automated process.
3Manufacturing precision
If experienced operators manually control the unloading process to achieve uniform carpet, then carpet quality can be maintained in simple cases, but the complexity of the operation increases and processing time extends when dealing with varying crop compositions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex manual judgment and experience-based adjustments with an automated control system that performs all calculations and adjustments. This substitution eliminates the need for operators to have extensive experience while maintaining or improving carpet uniformity, and it reduces operational complexity by automating the decision-making process.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device acts as an intermediary between the crop quantity measurement and the unloading/driver speed control. It processes the measured crop quantity and silo parameters to determine optimal speeds, serving as an intelligent mediator that simplifies the overall system while ensuring precise carpet deposition under varying conditions.
4Manufacturing precision
If the unloading process is made more precise with active adjustment capabilities, then carpet uniformity improves, but the time required for distribution and rolling work increases due to additional adjustment operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by calculating and setting the optimal unloading feed speed and driving speed before the unloading process begins, based on pre-measured crop quantity and silo dimensions. This preliminary setup ensures uniform carpet deposition from the start, eliminating the need for time-consuming adjustments during distribution and rolling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated control system maintains continuous coordination between unloading feed speed and driving speed throughout the entire unloading process, ensuring uninterrupted uniform carpet deposition. This continuous controlled action prevents interruptions and rework that would otherwise be needed to correct non-uniform sections, reducing total processing time.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates generally to the production of a layer of harvested crop in a drive-over silo. The invention relates, on the one hand, to an agricultural harvester with a loading area (5) for receiving harvested crop, an unloading conveyor for unloading the harvested crop from the loading area, and a width distribution device (50) for laterally distributing the harvested crop during unloading from the loading area. On the other hand, the invention relates to a method for unloading such a harvester to produce a layer of harvested crop in a drive-over silo, in which harvested crop is unloaded from the loading area of the harvester by means of the unloading conveyor while the harvester is driven along a track through the drive-over silo. According to one aspect of the invention, the harvester can have an adjustable width distribution device by means of which the width of the deposited layer of harvested crop can be actively adjusted during unloading.