Combine Harvester Windrow Door and Chute Angle Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Combines face challenges in forming windrows that are easily collectible due to terrain and wind effects, which alter the physical characteristics of the windrow, making it difficult to manage the residue discharge process effectively.

Innovation Solution

A combine system equipped with sensors, a windrow door actuator, and a windrow chute actuator, controlled by a controller that adjusts the angles of the windrow door and chute based on detected physical characteristics of the windrow or operational states, such as terrain inclination, to optimize the windrow shape and size for efficient collection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the combine operates on varied terrain or in windy conditions, then the windrow physical characteristics change, but this makes effective residue discharge management difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to terrain and wind conditionsVSAvoidease of residue discharge management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The windrow door and windrow chute are made dynamically adjustable through actuators that change their angles in real-time based on sensor feedback about terrain inclination and wind conditions, allowing the system to adapt to varying environmental conditions while maintaining effective residue discharge management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Sensors detect physical characteristics of the windrow and operational state of the combine, providing feedback to the controller which automatically adjusts the windrow door and chute angles, eliminating the need for manual intervention and maintaining ease of operation despite changing terrain and wind conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If the windrow door and chute angles are manually adjusted, then the windrow shape can be optimized, but this requires continuous operator intervention and time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewindrow shape precisionVSAvoidtime for manual adjustments

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-adjustment of the windrow door and chute angles through automatic control based on sensor feedback, eliminating the need for continuous operator intervention and saving time while maintaining precise windrow shape control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical adjustment of the windrow door and chute is replaced with an automated electro-mechanical control system that uses sensors and actuators to automatically position these components, achieving precise windrow formation without operator time investment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11240958B2Discharging residue from a combine harvester

Publication Date: 2022.02.08 INC BLUE LEAF I

AI summary

An embodiment includes a combine including a sensor positioned to detect a physical characteristic of a windrow produced by the combine or an operational state of the combine, a windrow door for expelling the residue from the combine, a windrow door actuator coupled to the windrow door to position the windrow door at a windrow door angle, a windrow chute for receiving the expelled residue from the windrow door and guiding the residue into a windrow, a windrow chute actuator coupled to the windrow chute to position the windrow chute at a windrow chute angle, a controller configured to determine a physical characteristic of the windrow or the operational state of the combine based on an output of the sensor, and adjust at least one of the windrow door angle or the windrow chute angle based on the determined physical characteristic or operational state.