Automated Concave Cover Control for Adaptive Threshing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combine harvesters lack efficient control mechanisms for adjusting the position of concave covers and rotor speed to optimize threshing efficiency and grain separation based on real-time operational conditions.
Innovation Solution
A harvesting machine equipped with an electronic control system that includes sensors, processors, and actuators to dynamically adjust the position of concave covers and rotor speed based on inputs from various sensors, such as unthreshed grain, tailings, weed, feedrate, and terrain sensors, to optimize threshing efficiency and grain separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated control system with sensors and actuators is implemented to adjust concave cover position, then threshing efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically adjusts concave cover position based on sensor feedback about unthreshed grain, eliminating the need for continuous manual intervention. The system serves itself by using sensor data to trigger actuator responses, improving threshing efficiency while requiring minimal operator input.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements closed-loop feedback by using sensors to detect unthreshed grain conditions and automatically adjusting concave cover position accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures optimal threshing efficiency by continuously monitoring and responding to actual threshing conditions.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple sensors are used to detect crop conditions and adjust rotor speed, then grain separation quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed to handle multiple sensor inputs from different sensor types (unthreshed grain, tailings, weed, feedrate, terrain sensors) and process them through a unified control algorithm. This multi-functional approach allows the same control system to optimize various aspects of grain separation simultaneously, improving quality without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts rotor speed as a controllable parameter based on sensor feedback about crop conditions. By dynamically changing this key parameter, the system optimizes grain separation quality for different harvesting conditions, from dry to wet crops, without requiring physical modifications to the separator components.
3Manufacturing precision
If concave cover position is dynamically adjusted based on sensor input, then unthreshed grain is reduced, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically manages concave cover position adjustment based on sensor detection of unthreshed grain, eliminating the need for operators to manually monitor and adjust this parameter. The system serves itself by detecting conditions and executing adjustments without operator intervention, reducing unthreshed grain while simplifying operator tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment of concave covers with an automated electromechanical system. Sensors detect unthreshed grain conditions and actuators automatically adjust cover position, substituting the need for manual operation with an automated control system that reduces unthreshed grain more consistently.
4Manufacturing precision
If rotor speed is adjusted to optimize grain separation, then grain quality is improved, but productivity may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts rotor speed based on real-time sensor feedback about crop conditions and threshing performance. Rather than operating at a fixed speed, the rotor speed varies continuously to optimize grain separation quality for current conditions, allowing the system to maintain high quality output while adapting speed to preserve overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system changes the rotor speed parameter in response to sensor input about crop moisture, density, and threshing effectiveness. By adjusting this critical parameter, the system optimizes grain separation quality for different crop conditions while minimizing the impact on harvesting productivity through intelligent parameter management.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are devices and methods for automated concave covers. A harvesting machine of the present invention may include at least one concave cover that is movable between at least two positions. The harvesting machine may include an electronic control system having sensor(s), processor(s), at least one memory, and actuator(s). The electronic control system may receive information from sensor(s), determine a current position of the concave cover, and determine whether to move the concave cover to a different position. If it is determined to move the concave cover to a different position, actuator(s) may be directed to initiate movement. Also provided is a computer-implemented method.