Combine Harvest Map Data Generator Yield Calculation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional combines face challenges in accurately calculating yield distribution for entire fields due to difficulties in distinguishing between harvest and non-harvest work travel, and in simultaneously performing yield and taste measurements without affecting measurement accuracy.

Innovation Solution

The combine incorporates a work travel determiner to differentiate between harvest and non-harvest work travel, and includes independent yield and taste measurement containers with shutters to allow for precise measurement of yield and taste values per unit of travel distance, enabling accurate yield distribution mapping and grain evaluation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single grain tank is used for both yield measurement and taste measurement, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to interference between measurements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement system structureVSAvoidyield and taste measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the grain measurement system into two independent containers: a yield measurement container and a taste measurement container. Each container is equipped with its own receiving opening, discharge opening, and shutter mechanism. This segmentation allows simultaneous independent operation of both measurement functions without mutual interference, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of time

If yield measurement and taste measurement are performed simultaneously using the same grain flow, then measurement time is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to grain flow instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement timeVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates separate grain flow paths for yield measurement and taste measurement through independent containers. The yield measurement container receives grains through a first receiving opening while the taste measurement container receives grains through a second receiving opening. Both measurements can proceed simultaneously with stable grain flows, eliminating the precision deterioration caused by shared grain flow instability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediate storage and control mechanisms (shutters and discharge openings) that mediate the grain flow to each measurement container. These intermediaries ensure stable and controlled grain supply to both measurement systems simultaneously, maintaining measurement precision while enabling parallel operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If non-harvest work travel is included in yield calculation, then productivity measurement is simplified, but measurement precision deteriorates due to incorrect yield data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveyield calculation simplicityVSAvoidyield distribution accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a work travel determiner that provides feedback to the yield calculator about whether the combine is performing harvest work or non-harvest work. Based on this feedback, the yield calculator selectively includes or excludes travel segments from the yield calculation. This feedback mechanism maintains calculation simplicity while ensuring yield distribution accuracy by excluding non-harvest travel periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3272205B1Combine, and grain-evaluation control device for combine
Publication Date: 2022.11.09 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP3272205B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3272205B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3272205B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A combine for reaping culms in a field while traveling, and accumulating, in a grain tank 2, grains obtained by threshing reaped culms, includes: a yield calculator for calculating a yield per unit of travel, which is a yield per unit of travel distance; a work travel determiner 53 for determining non-harvest work travel that does not involve grain harvesting, and harvest work travel that involves grain harvesting; a harvest map data generator 66 for generating harvest map data in which the yield per unit of travel, a travel route on which the combine has traveled in a field, and a result of determination performed by the work travel determiner are associated with one another; and a harvest information recorder for recording the harvest map data.