Agricultural Machine Engine Load Control via Dynamic Parameter Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern self-propelled agricultural machines, such as combine harvesters, face issues with engine overload due to fluctuations in crop inventory and crop properties, leading to reduced machine utilization, cleaning process breakdowns, and increased risk of blockages, which negatively impact the quality of the harvesting process.

Innovation Solution

A control and regulation device that automatically adjusts working parameters of the machine, such as increasing the speed of certain elements or switching off power consumers, to counteract engine pressure and reduce the load on the internal combustion engine, thereby maintaining the quality of the harvesting process and preventing blockages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the driving speed is increased to achieve maximum utilization, then the productivity is improved, but the risk of engine overload increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine utilizationVSAvoidengine overload risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of working parameters based on real-time engine load monitoring. The control device continuously adapts the operating state of working organs (such as threshing drum speed, separator speed, fan speed) in response to changing engine pressure conditions, enabling the system to operate at maximum productivity while automatically preventing engine overload through real-time parameter modulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Power

If the engine speed is reduced to relieve engine pressure, then the engine load is decreased, but the cleaning process quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine loadVSAvoidcleaning process quality
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the power transmission system by introducing an independent variable speed drive for the cleaning organ (fan). This allows the cleaning organ to operate at its optimal speed independently of the engine's overall speed, maintaining cleaning process quality even when the engine speed is reduced to relieve engine pressure. The segmentation enables decoupling of the cleaning function from the engine's power fluctuations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control device changes the operating parameters of working organs (such as fan speed, separator speed, threshing drum speed) in response to engine pressure conditions. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system maintains cleaning process quality and overall work result while relieving engine load, as the working organs operate at optimized speeds adapted to current engine capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the working parameters are changed to increase utilization, then the productivity is improved, but the risk of blockage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveutilizationVSAvoidblockage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system where the control device continuously monitors engine pressure and working parameters, and automatically adjusts the operating state of working organs in response to detected conditions. This feedback mechanism prevents blockages by adapting the system's operation to real-time conditions, ensuring that working organs operate within safe parameter ranges while maintaining high productivity when conditions permit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2702854B1Self-propelled agricultural machine
Publication Date: 2019.07.17 CLAAS SELBSTFAHRENDE ERNTEMASCHINEN GMBH
  • EP2702854B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2702854B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The machine (1) has working elements (7, 11, 14) for driving a combustion engine (18) whose working parameters and operating parameters are adjustable. A control and regulating device (21) automatically provides the working parameters of the working elements during onset of engine loads depending on speed of the combustion engine. The control and regulating device increases the speed of the engine for maintenance of quality of the working elements and initiates active braking and switches off the working elements.