Combine Harvester Engine Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current combine harvester engine power management systems fail to accurately match engine power with the varying needs of different crop processing subsystem configurations, leading to potential overload or insufficient power, which can result in damage, grain loss, or reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
An automatic control system that adjusts engine power based on the configuration and operational status of engaged subsystems, using predefined power levels and sensors to ensure adequate but not excessive power delivery, without relying on potentially unreliable power usage measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the engine provides maximum power for all subsystem configurations, then the power availability is sufficient for high-power modes (e.g., chopping), but the subsystems may be overloaded in low-power modes (e.g., windrowing or swathing)
Solution Approach 1:
The engine control system dynamically adjusts the maximum available power based on the detected configuration of crop processing subsystems. Sensors monitor the status of headers, choppers, and other equipment, and the controller modifies power limits in real-time to match actual operational needs, preventing overload while ensuring sufficient power when required
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the power parameter (maximum available engine power) according to the operational mode detected through sensor inputs. Different configurations (chopping, windrowing, swathing) trigger different power limit settings, optimizing the balance between power availability and subsystem protection
2Reliability
If the engine power is reduced for low-power configurations, then subsystem overload is prevented, but insufficient power may result in performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors provide feedback on the actual configuration and operational status of crop processing subsystems. This feedback loop enables the control system to accurately detect when a high-power mode is activated and immediately adjust power limits accordingly, ensuring that productivity is never compromised due to premature power reduction
3Measurement precision
If sensors and automatic control are implemented to manage power, then power matching precision is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed to handle multiple subsystem configurations and operational modes through a single integrated control architecture. The same sensors and controller that detect header presence also monitor chopper status and adjust power limits, reducing the need for separate specialized systems and minimizing overall complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of controlling maximum available engine power of a combine harvester wherein the engine drives the harvester and additionally powers a threshing mechanism for separating harvested crop into grain and crop residue and at least one further crop processing subsystem that may be selectively configured and disengaged, including a straw chopper engageable for chopping the crop residue and propelling the chopped residue from the harvester, structure configurable for directing the crop residue into the chopper or to bypass the chopper, utilizing a controller for automatically reducing the maximum available engine power as a function of the status of the engagement of the subsystems, particularly the chopper and the configuration of the associated structure.