Combine Harvester Inclined Conveyor Roller Actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
In combine harvesters, the existing systems face issues with uneven crop feeding due to inadequate adjustment of the lower deflection roller, leading to slippage and reduced performance, especially at lower crop throughputs, and operators often struggle to set the roller position correctly.
Innovation Solution
An externally powered actuator adjusts the vertical position of the lower deflection roller based on crop type and throughput data from sensors, such as cameras and torque detectors, ensuring optimal crop flow and energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the lower deflection roller position is manually adjustable by operator, then the device can adapt to field and crop conditions, but the operator may not know the importance of the adjustment and may set it incorrectly leading to slippage and uneven feed
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically adjusts the lower deflection roller position based on sensor feedback about crop conditions, eliminating the need for operator intervention. The control unit receives sensor signals and autonomously actuates the roller positioning mechanism to optimize crop flow, ensuring correct adjustment without operator knowledge or manual effort.
Solution Approach 2:
A sensor detects crop conditions (such as crop type, moisture content, or flow characteristics) and provides feedback to the control unit. The control unit uses this feedback information to automatically adjust the lower deflection roller position, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing field and crop conditions in real-time.
2Device complexity
If the lower stop position is set too high, then the structure is simpler, but significant slippage occurs at lower crop throughputs leading to uneven feed and reduced performance
Solution Approach 1:
The lower deflection roller position is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed at a single height. The system can automatically change the roller position based on real-time crop throughput conditions, allowing optimization of the crop mat thickness for different harvesting scenarios. This dynamic adjustment prevents slippage at lower throughputs while maintaining structural simplicity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically changes the vertical position parameter of the lower deflection roller based on detected crop conditions and throughput. By varying this geometric parameter dynamically, the system optimizes the crop flow characteristics and prevents slippage without requiring complex mechanical adjustments or multiple fixed-position rollers.
3Device complexity
If the lower deflection roller relies solely on its own weight for conveying at lower throughputs, then the mechanism is simpler, but conveying effect is insufficient leading to slippage and uneven feed
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces reliance on gravitational force (mechanical passive conveying) with an actively controlled positioning system. The lower deflection roller is positioned automatically based on sensor feedback to optimize the geometry of crop flow, enhancing conveying effectiveness without adding complex active driving mechanisms to the roller itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary adjustment of the lower deflection roller position based on predicted or detected crop conditions before actual conveying occurs. By pre-positioning the roller at the optimal height for the expected crop throughput, the system ensures effective conveying from the start, preventing slippage and uneven feed without requiring complex real-time active control during the conveying process.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A combine harvester (10) comprises an inclined conveyor (20) with an endless traction element (66) that rotates around a height-adjustable lower deflection roller (64) and a driven upper deflection roller (62), and carries transversely extending carriers (68) for undershot conveying of crop, and a harvesting head (18) for receiving and/or cutting crop that can be fed to a threshing and separating unit via the inclined conveyor (20). An externally driven actuator (70) for adjusting the position of the lower deflection roller (64) is connected to a control unit (72) which controls the actuator (70) depending on the detected and/or input type of crop and/or the throughput detected by a sensor (76, 78).