Chopper Residue Monitoring for MOG Plugging Prevention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The material flow paths within grain harvesting machines, particularly the residue subsystem, often become plugged due to the accumulation of material other than grain (MOG), leading to downtime and potential machine damage.

Innovation Solution

A residue monitoring system with sensors is implemented to detect the presence of MOG in non-flow areas within the chopper, triggering corrective actions to prevent build-up and maintain machine operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the chopper operates continuously to chop and distribute MOG, then productivity is maintained, but MOG accumulation occurs in non-flow areas causing plugging and downtime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous harvesting operationVSAvoidresidue subsystem plugging

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system detects MOG accumulation in non-flow areas before it reaches critical levels that would cause plugging. By identifying buildup early in the non-flow areas, the system can trigger corrective actions (such as reversing the chopper rotor or adjusting operation parameters) to prevent plugging before it occurs, maintaining continuous productive operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The monitoring system continuously senses MOG presence in non-flow areas and provides feedback to the control system. This feedback loop enables real-time adjustments to chopper operation, allowing the system to respond to accumulation conditions and maintain reliable operation while preserving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If sensors are installed to detect MOG in non-flow areas, then plugging is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresidue subsystem plugging preventionVSAvoidsensor and control system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The chopper system is equipped with sensors that enable it to self-monitor its own operational status. The system can automatically detect MOG accumulation and trigger corrective actions without external intervention, allowing the residue subsystem to service itself and maintain reliability without requiring additional complex external monitoring infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Prevents MOG accumulation, reducing downtime and potential machine damage by enabling proactive intervention based on sensor feedback.

Implementation Method 1

A residue monitoring system includes at least one sensor configured to detect a presence of MOG in the MOG non-flow area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSensor detection:

Data Source

PatentUS20250351777A1Residue profiling system

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 DEERE & CO

AI summary

A grain harvesting machine includes a grain thresher and a cleaning subsystem for separating grain from MOG. A residue subsystem includes a chopper including a chopper housing, a rotatable chopper rotor carrying a plurality of chopper knives, and a stationary knife assembly configured to interact with the chopper knives to chop the MOG into smaller pieces before the MOG is distributed onto the ground surface. The chopper includes a chopper inlet, a chopper outlet, a MOG flow area between the inlet and the outlet wherein MOG is expected to flow during normal operation, and a MOG non-flow area where MOG is not expected to flow during normal operation. A residue monitoring system includes at least one sensor configured to detect a presence of MOG in the MOG non-flow area.