Combine Harvester Separation Device With Load-Actuated Knife
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combine harvesters face challenges in efficiently dividing crop flows into partial streams, particularly with crops having long stalks, leading to increased power consumption and wear on belts due to the inability to automatically adjust the position of the separating element, such as a knife, to adapt to varying crop conditions.
Innovation Solution
A self-propelled combine harvester with a separating device featuring a pivotable separating element, like a knife, controlled by an actuator that adjusts its position based on the load state of crop processing elements, ensuring optimal separation by automatically changing its distance from the feed drum in response to varying crop conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a knife is placed in the inlet area of the axial rotors to assist in separating the crop flow, then the separation of long-stemmed crops is improved, but the knife wear increases and manual adjustment is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The knife is made dynamically adjustable through an actuator system that can change its position automatically. The actuator receives control signals from a control device to adjust the knife's insertion depth into the crop flow, transforming a static manual adjustment system into a dynamic automated one that adapts to varying crop conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
A sensor device detects the load state of the feed drum and provides feedback signals to the control device. The control device processes this feedback and automatically adjusts the knife position accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes separation efficiency while minimizing knife wear based on real-time crop conditions.
2Productivity
If the separating element is positioned closer to the feed drum to assist in separating long-stemmed crops, then the crop flow division is improved, but the power consumption increases and belt wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The knife position is dynamically adjusted based on detected crop conditions. When long-stemmed crops are detected, the knife is positioned closer to the feed drum to improve division efficiency. When such crops are absent, the knife is retracted to reduce power consumption and belt wear, creating an adaptive system that optimizes the trade-off between separation efficiency and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the knife relative to the feed drum based on crop type detection. By varying this geometric parameter dynamically, the system adapts its separation capability to match actual crop conditions, avoiding excessive power consumption and wear when aggressive separation is not needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the knife is manually adjusted using a mechanical pivoting device, then the separation can be adapted to crop conditions, but the adjustment process is time-consuming and disruptive
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical pivoting device is replaced with an automated actuator system controlled by electronic signals. The actuator receives commands from a control device based on sensor feedback, eliminating the need for manual intervention and enabling rapid, precise adjustment of the knife position without disrupting harvest operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment of the knife position automatically without requiring operator intervention. The sensor device monitors crop conditions, the control device processes this information, and the actuator executes the position adjustment autonomously, allowing the system to service itself and maintain optimal separation performance continuously.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a self-propelled combine harvester (1) with a separation device (3) comprising at least one pair of axial rotors (4) arranged parallel to one another, and crop processing elements (9-11) arranged upstream of the separation device (3), the crop processing elements having at least one feed drum (11) for feeding a crop flow (8) into the separation device (3), wherein a separating element (17), in particular a knife, is pivotably arranged in an inlet area (14) arranged upstream of the separation device (3) to assist in separating the crop flow (8) into two partial flows (15), wherein an actuator (19) is provided for pivoting the separating element (17), wherein a control device (54) automatically controls the actuator (19) depending on a load condition of at least one of the crop processing elements (9-11).such that, under a high load applied to at least one workpiece processing element (9-11), the separating element (17) is in a first position (20) and under a low load applied to at least one workpiece processing element (9-11), the separating element (17) is in a second position (21), wherein the distance (57) of the separating element (17) to the feed drum (11) is smaller in the first position (20) than in the second position (21).