Capacitive Sensor in Combine Harvester Suction Fan

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current self-propelled combine harvesters face challenges in accurately determining grain loss within the air and material flow, as existing sensors are not effective in distinguishing between grain and non-grain components, leading to inefficiencies in grain harvesting and increased losses.

Innovation Solution

A capacitive sensor system is integrated into the suction fan arrangement, utilizing a resonant circuit with capacitive and inductive components to detect changes in capacitance caused by the air and material flow, allowing for precise measurement of grain loss by distinguishing between grain and non-grain elements based on permittivity differences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If existing sensors are used to detect grain loss, then the sensor system can detect the air and material flow, but it cannot accurately distinguish between grain and non-grain components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrain loss detection accuracyVSAvoiddifferentiation capability between grain and non-grain components

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing the permittivity difference between grain and non-grain components as a distinguishing parameter. The capacitive sensor detects changes in capacitance caused by variations in permittivity, enabling accurate identification and differentiation of grain particles from non-grain material in the air and material flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical or optical sensing approaches with an electrical field-based capacitive sensing system. By using a resonant circuit with capacitive and inductive components, the system detects grain loss through electrical parameter changes (capacitance variations) rather than mechanical interaction or optical detection, achieving superior differentiation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If a capacitive sensor system with resonant circuit is used, then grain and non-grain components can be distinguished based on permittivity, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrain loss detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the sensing function with the existing suction blower arrangement by integrating the capacitive sensor system into the housing of the suction blower. The sensor system is positioned to detect the air and material flow passing through the suction blower, combining the airflow generation and particle detection functions into a single integrated unit, thereby reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The suction blower arrangement serves multiple functions: it generates airflow for material separation and simultaneously houses the capacitive sensor system for grain loss detection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate detection systems and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The sensor system effectively measures and records grain loss, enabling accurate counting and differentiation between grain and non-grain components, thereby improving grain harvesting efficiency and reducing losses.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

the sensor system comprises a resonant circuit and a measuring device, wherein the resonant circuit consists of at least one capacitive component with a capacitance and an inductive component, wherein an air and material flow passing through the suction blower arrangement passes the capacitive component and at least temporarily changes the capacitance of the capacitive component, wherein the measuring device determines the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 3

allowing for precise measurement of grain loss by distinguishing between grain and non-grain elements based on permittivity differences

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric Permittivity: Dielectric Permittivity

Data Source

PatentEP4324323A1Self-propelled combine harvester with a sensor system for detecting grain loss

Publication Date: 2024.02.21 CLAAS SELBSTFAHRENDE ERNTEMASCHINEN GMBH

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a self-propelled combine harvester (1) for taking in and processing harvested crops. The present invention is based on the general concept that a sensor system (23) comprises at least one capacitive component (35) arranged in a suction blower assembly (12).