Combine Harvester Straw Throughput Estimation via Crop Moisture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current combine harvesters lack an efficient method to determine straw throughput, which is crucial for optimizing machine parameters and estimating yields, especially given varying crop conditions and types.
Innovation Solution
A control arrangement in the combine harvester calculates an estimated straw throughput using volume-related crop throughput and crop moisture measurements, with rules based on crop type, allowing for accurate machine parameter settings and yield estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If straw throughput is measured directly using additional sensors, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses crop moisture content as an intermediary parameter to indirectly determine straw throughput. Instead of directly measuring straw throughput with complex sensors, the system measures crop moisture content (which is easier to obtain) and uses it as a mediator to calculate straw throughput through established relationships between moisture content, crop throughput, and straw throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical/physical measurement of straw throughput with a computational approach. By substituting the direct measurement system with a calculation system that uses crop moisture content and crop throughput data, the patent achieves straw throughput determination without complex measurement hardware.
2Measurement precision
If multiple separate measurements (crop throughput, moisture content, grain throughput) are taken and processed, then straw throughput estimation accuracy improves, but measurement and processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement parameters (crop throughput, crop moisture content, and optionally grain throughput) into a unified straw throughput estimation process. By merging these measurements and processing them together through the control arrangement, the system achieves accurate straw throughput determination while avoiding the complexity of separate independent measurement systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control arrangement is designed to perform multiple functions: it processes crop throughput data, moisture content data, and grain throughput data, and can determine both straw throughput and total crop throughput. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate specialized systems.
3Device complexity
If straw throughput is calculated using simple rules, then device complexity decreases, but adaptability to different crop types and conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability by allowing the control arrangement to select different calculation rules based on crop type. Instead of using a fixed static rule, the system dynamically adjusts which rule to apply depending on the harvested crop type, maintaining simplicity while achieving versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of crop type to select appropriate calculation rules. By using crop type as a selection parameter, the system can switch between different simplified calculation approaches tailored to specific crop types, maintaining low complexity while adapting to various harvesting conditions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a combine harvester (1) with a intake assembly (4) for taking in crop consisting of grains and non-grain components and with working units for dividing the crop throughput into at least a volumetric grain throughput and a volumetric straw throughput, wherein the combine harvester (1) has a throughput measuring assembly (6) for measuring the volumetric crop throughput, and wherein the combine harvester (1) has a moisture measuring assembly (7) for measuring the crop moisture. It is proposed that the combine harvester (1) has a control assembly (8) that the control assembly (8) incorporates at least one instruction (15) for determining an estimated value for the straw throughput from the crop throughput and the crop moisture, and that the control assembly (8) determines the estimated value for the straw throughput based on this instruction (15), the crop throughput, and the crop moisture.