Auxiliary Machine Load Compensation in Agricultural Engines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural working machines face challenges in compensating for short-term load fluctuations, leading to unfavorable engine operating points, increased fuel consumption, and pollutant emissions due to delayed driver reactions and limited energy storage in their electrical systems.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a specially controlled auxiliary machine within the drive arrangement of the agricultural working machine, which adjusts the speed or torque of the internal combustion engine's output shaft to maintain a preset value, using the auxiliary machine as a generator to recharge energy storage when excess power is available, and supplying power to the engine during increased load requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the driver manually controls the engine speed based on noise evaluation, then the system can respond to load changes, but the reaction is delayed due to human response time and process complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereaction timeVSAvoidmanual control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual driver control with an automated control device that directly monitors engine parameters and adjusts engine speed electronically. This substitution eliminates human reaction time delays and manual operation complexity, achieving immediate automated response to load fluctuations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The control device continuously monitors engine speed and load conditions, comparing actual values with target values, and automatically adjusts engine parameters accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system eliminates the time delay inherent in manual noise-based evaluation and enables precise, immediate control responses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Quantity of substance

If the electrical system uses conventional lead-acid batteries, then the vehicle electrical system can supply power to components, but large-scale energy storage is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy storage capacityVSAvoidenergy storage system
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from conventional lead-acid batteries to a hybrid energy storage system incorporating high-capacity accumulators (such as lithium-ion batteries). This parameter change in the energy storage medium enables large-scale energy storage while maintaining system manageability through modern battery management technologies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical system is designed to serve multiple functions: supplying power to vehicle components, storing excess energy from the generator, and providing buffer capacity for load fluctuations. This multi-functional design achieves large-scale energy storage without proportionally increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If the engine speed is allowed to vary with load changes, then the power delivery adapts to working conditions, but the operating point shifts to unfavorable ranges increasing fuel consumption and emissions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower delivery adaptationVSAvoidfuel consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic engine speed control that actively adjusts engine parameters in real-time to maintain optimal operating points. The control device continuously modifies engine speed and torque based on actual load conditions, enabling the engine to adapt power delivery dynamically while staying within efficient operating ranges, thus reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control device anticipates load changes and pre-adjusts engine parameters to maintain optimal operating points. By predicting upcoming load requirements and preparing the engine in advance, the system prevents operating point shifts to unfavorable ranges, thereby reducing fuel consumption and emissions before they occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If the auxiliary machine is used to compensate for load fluctuations, then immediate response is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload fluctuation compensationVSAvoiddrive arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary machine is designed as a multi-functional component that can operate in different modes (motor and generator) to serve multiple purposes: compensating for load fluctuations, storing energy, and supporting the main engine. This universal design achieves reliable load fluctuation compensation without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the auxiliary machine with the existing electrical system and energy storage components into an integrated hybrid drive arrangement. By merging these functions into a coordinated system managed by a single control device, the patent achieves reliable load compensation while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity through functional integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This solution allows for immediate compensation of load fluctuations, maintaining the internal combustion engine at a favorable operating point, reducing fuel consumption and pollutant emissions, and optimizing power delivery to working units without driver delay.

Implementation Method 1

the control device (15) is configured in such a way that it operates the auxiliary machine (11) as an electric generator as soon as the speed on the output shaft (16) of the internal combustion engine (10) increases due to load changes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

Incorporating a specially controlled auxiliary machine within the drive arrangement of the agricultural working machine, which adjusts the speed or torque of the internal combustion engine's output shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3257353B1Agricultural machine and method for operating an agricultural machine
Publication Date: 2019.09.25 CLAAS SELBSTFAHRENDE ERNTEMASCHINEN GMBH
  • EP3257353B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3257353B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention relates to an agricultural machine (1), in particular a harvesting machine, comprising a drive arrangement (9) having an internal combustion engine (10) and an auxiliary machine (11), and a first power consumer (5, 7). It is proposed that the auxiliary machine (11) be controlled such that a power output, in particular a preset output, from the internal combustion engine (10) is substantially maintained despite varying power requirements of the first power consumer (5, 7).