Combine Harvester Drive System Dual-Clutch Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional combine harvester drive systems operate at high engine speeds for fuel efficiency, leading to increased fuel consumption even under light loads, as direct mechanical connections require constant rotor speed, limiting the ability to switch to more efficient engine speeds without reducing productivity.
Innovation Solution
A combine harvester drive system with an engine governor, clutches, and an electronic control unit (ECU) that adjusts engine speed by switching between two isochronous engine power curves, allowing the engine to operate at lower speeds while maintaining constant rotor speed, using a gearbox with hydraulic clutches and an ECU to manage gear ratios and clutch engagement/disengagement based on load conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the engine operates at high speed to maintain constant rotor speed through direct mechanical connection, then rotor speed is maintained, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two clutch configurations (first clutch engaged/second clutch disengaged, and vice versa) to change the gear ratio between engine and rotor. This allows the engine speed to vary dynamically while maintaining constant rotor speed, enabling operation in fuel-efficient speed regions without compromising rotor performance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the transmission parameter (gear ratio) by selectively engaging different clutches in the dual-clutch transmission system. This parameter change allows the engine to operate at lower speeds while maintaining the same rotor speed, thereby reducing fuel consumption while preserving productivity
2Use of energy by moving object
If the engine speed is reduced to improve fuel efficiency, then fuel consumption decreases, but rotor speed must also reduce due to direct mechanical connection
Solution Approach 1:
The dual-clutch transmission system acts as an intermediary between the engine and rotor, decoupling their speed relationship. By engaging different clutch combinations, the transmission mediates the speed difference between engine and rotor, allowing the engine to run slower while the rotor maintains its required high speed through the gear ratio transformation
3Speed
If a direct mechanical connection with fixed rotational speed ratio is used between engine and rotor, then constant rotor speed is maintained, but the system lacks adaptability to load changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static fixed-ratio mechanical connection to a dynamic variable-ratio connection through the dual-clutch transmission. The ECU dynamically controls clutch engagement/disengagement based on real-time load conditions, allowing the system to adapt between different gear ratios and engine operating points while maintaining stable rotor speed
Data Source
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AI summary
A combine harvester (102) drive system switches between a first isochronous operating curve (622) and a second isochronous operating curve (628) of an isochronously governed engine (126) when a load on the combine harvester engine (126) reaches one or more threshold load conditions.