Combine Harvester Threshing Control With Autonomous Parameter Setting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current combine harvester driver assistance systems require significant driver input for continuous control of the threshing mechanism, leading to driver stress and the need for agricultural expertise to achieve desired quality criteria, as they often necessitate manual adjustments and frequent checks on settings.
Innovation Solution
An automatic threshing machine is formed by integrating the driver assistance system with the threshing unit, allowing autonomous determination of threshing parameters based on pre-selected harvesting process strategies, using a functional system model that adapts cyclically to the harvesting process status, reducing the need for driver intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a driver assistance system with interactive suggestions is used, then the driver receives guidance on threshing unit control, but the driver must still make frequent manual adjustments and maintain significant attention
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines threshing unit parameters autonomously based on the functional system model and harvesting process strategy, without requiring driver intervention. The driver assistance system serves itself by automatically selecting parameters from the model rather than requiring continuous driver input and decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical control system with an automated computational system. The computing device calculates optimal threshing parameters by processing data through the functional system model, substituting the driver's manual adjustment mechanism with an automated digital control system.
2Manufacturing precision
If the driver manually adjusts threshing unit parameters, then specific quality criteria can be achieved, but the driver requires agricultural expertise and continuous attention
Solution Approach 1:
The functional system model acts as an intermediary between the driver's quality requirements and the actual threshing unit parameters. The model translates desired grain quality criteria into specific parameter settings automatically, eliminating the need for the driver to possess expert knowledge of the complex relationships between parameters and quality outcomes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the driver's expert knowledge requirement with an automated computational system. The computing device processes the functional system model to determine optimal parameters, substituting the need for human agricultural expertise with an automated digital brain that continuously optimizes settings.
3Manufacturing precision
If the threshing unit optimization process runs continuously, then optimal settings are maintained, but it conflicts with ground speed control processes
Solution Approach 1:
The functional system model is pre-populated with threshing unit parameters and their relationships before the harvesting operation begins. This preliminary preparation allows the system to quickly determine optimal parameters without requiring complex real-time calculations that would conflict with other control processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts the threshing unit parameters based on the current harvesting process state. The computing device continuously monitors conditions and adjusts parameters according to the functional system model, allowing simultaneous operation with ground speed control through dynamic rather than static optimization.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a combine harvester with a threshing unit (1) for threshing picked-up crop into grain and with a driver assistance system (10) for controlling the threshing unit (1), the driver assistance system (10) having a memory (11) for storing data and a Computing device (12) for processing the data stored in the memory (11). It is proposed that the threshing unit (1) together with the driver assistance system (10) form an automatic threshing machine (14), in that a plurality of selectable harvesting process strategies (11a) are stored in the memory (11) and in that the computing device (12) is set up to to determine at least one machine parameter—threshing unit parameters (1a, 1b)—autonomously and to specify it for the threshing unit (1) in order to implement the selected harvesting process strategy (11a).