Combine Harvester Visualization System for Material Flow Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional combine harvesters lack advanced user interfaces to effectively visualize and manage the distribution of crop material during threshing and cleaning processes, leading to inefficiencies and potential grain loss due to inadequate monitoring of material flow.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a graphical user interface powered by sensors placed along the longitudinal and lateral axes of the combine harvester, providing real-time graphical representations of material flow through both the threshing and cleaning systems, allowing operators to adjust their operation for optimal material distribution and minimizing grain loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional combine harvesters use basic monitoring systems, then device complexity is low, but measurement precision and information availability about material flow distribution are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is segmented into multiple independent sensors positioned at different locations (front, center, rear; left, center, right) along the longitudinal and lateral axes. Each sensor independently monitors material flow at its specific position, enabling precise localization of distribution patterns without requiring a single complex centralized system
Solution Approach 2:
A graphical user interface acts as an intermediary that receives data from multiple simple sensors and presents processed visual information to the operator. This intermediary layer transforms raw sensor data into intuitive visual representations showing material flow distribution patterns, bridging the gap between simple sensing elements and complex information requirements
2Loss of information
If no visual feedback system is implemented, then device complexity remains low, but loss of information about crop processing status occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback by constantly monitoring material flow at multiple positions and immediately displaying the distribution pattern on the graphical interface. This real-time feedback loop allows operators to observe material flow status and make immediate adjustments to prevent grain loss, transforming the information loss problem into an actionable monitoring solution
Solution Approach 2:
The graphical user interface creates a visual copy or representation of the physical material flow distribution within the combine. Instead of directly observing the actual material flow, operators see a replicated visual model showing where material is concentrated or deficient, enabling informed decisions without interfering with the physical harvesting process
3Productivity
If operators cannot visualize material flow distribution, then device complexity is low, but productivity decreases due to inability to optimize harvesting operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms the three-dimensional physical material flow within the combine into a two-dimensional graphical representation on a display screen. This dimensional transformation allows operators to comprehend and analyze material distribution patterns that would be impossible to observe directly, enabling optimization of harvesting operations through visual insight into internal processes
Data Source
AI summary
A graphical user interface (60) for a combine harvester (10) includes, in a first portion (62) of the user interface, a graphical representation (66, 70) of an amount of material passing through a threshing system (22) at multiple positions along a longitudinal direction of the combine harvester, and a graphical representation (68, 72) of an amount of material passing through a cleaning system (42) at multiple positions along the longitudinal direction of the combine harvester. The user interface further includes, in a second portion (64) of the user interface, a graphical representation (74, 78) of an amount of material passing through the threshing system (22) at a plurality of locations along a lateral axis of the combine harvester, and a graphical representation (76, 80) of an amount of material passing through the cleaning system (42) at a plurality of locations along the lateral axis of the combine harvester.