Automated Roll Conditioner Adjustment for Agricultural Harvesters

Solution Overview

Problem

Current crop conditioning assemblies in agricultural harvesting machines require manual adjustment of roll gap and tension, which is difficult and inaccurate due to corrosion and crop buildup, affecting conditioning quality, drying time, and tonnage.

Innovation Solution

A crop conditioning device with automatically adjustable roll gap and tension mechanisms controlled by a controller that sets initial conditions based on crop material characteristics and operational settings, and continuously monitors and adjusts to maintain optimal conditioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If manual adjustment of roll gap and tension is used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision and reliability deteriorate due to corrosion and crop buildup making accurate adjustment difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment mechanism complexityVSAvoidroll gap and tension adjustment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated actuation system that uses a motor-driven mechanism to adjust the roll gap and tension. The actuator system eliminates the need for manual operation of nuts and cranks, thereby preventing adjustment failures due to corrosion and crop buildup while maintaining precision through controlled automated movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates sensors that automatically detect the current roll gap and tension conditions, and the controller autonomously adjusts the conditioning rolls without operator intervention. This self-adjusting capability ensures consistent precision despite wear, corrosion, or crop accumulation, as the system monitors and corrects itself continuously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If manual adjustment of roll gap and tension is used, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity and reliability deteriorate due to time-consuming and potentially inaccurate adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator control over adjustmentVSAvoidconditioning adjustment efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated actuation system that uses a motor-driven mechanism to adjust the roll gap and tension. The actuator system eliminates the need for manual operation of nuts and cranks, thereby preventing adjustment failures due to corrosion and crop buildup while maintaining precision through controlled automated movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates sensors that automatically detect the current roll gap and tension conditions, and the controller autonomously adjusts the conditioning rolls without operator intervention. This self-adjusting capability ensures consistent precision despite wear, corrosion, or crop accumulation, as the system monitors and corrects itself continuously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If manual adjustment of roll gap and tension is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to corrosion and crop buildup causing suboptimal conditioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment mechanism complexityVSAvoidconditioning quality consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated actuation system that uses a motor-driven mechanism to adjust the roll gap and tension. The actuator system eliminates the need for manual operation of nuts and cranks, thereby preventing adjustment failures due to corrosion and crop buildup while maintaining precision through controlled automated movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates sensors that automatically detect the current roll gap and tension conditions, and the controller autonomously adjusts the conditioning rolls without operator intervention. This self-adjusting capability ensures consistent precision despite wear, corrosion, or crop accumulation, as the system monitors and corrects itself continuously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3912453B1Automated roll conditioner adjustment system for an agricultural harvesting machine

Publication Date: 2025.01.08 CNH IND BELGIUM NV

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AI summary

A crop conditioning device (120) for an agricultural harvesting machine (110). The crop conditioning device (120) includes a first conditioning roll (124), a second conditioning roll (126), and a tension mechanism (140) connected to the second conditioning roll (126). The tension mechanism (140) is configured for applying a tension force on the second conditioning roll (126). The crop conditioning device (120) also includes a roll-gap mechanism (150) connected to the second conditioning roll (126). The roll-gap mechanism (150) is configured for pivoting the second conditioning roll (126) to adjust the roll gap (RG). The crop conditioning device (120) also includes a controller (150) operably connected to the tension mechanism (140) and the roll-gap mechanism (150). The controller (150) is configured for automatically setting an initial tension force and an initial roll gap (RG) dependent upon a type of crop material.