Concave Deflection Element for Grain Flow Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grain flow sensors in combine harvesters only detect a limited number of lost grains that fall directly down, as most are carried away in the air flow, leading to low and imprecise count rates.
Innovation Solution
A grain flow sensor arrangement with a concave deflection element that reflects and concentrates grains towards a grain detection device, increasing the number of grains detected and improving precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a traditional lost grain sensor with a baffle plate is arranged at the rear of the cleaning device, then the structure is simple and easy to install, but only a limited number of grains are detected because most grains are carried away in the air flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a concave deflection element with a curved surface that reflects and concentrates airborne grains onto the detection surface. The curved geometry captures grains traveling in different directions within the air flow and redirects them to a concentrated detection point, thereby increasing detection precision without substantially increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The concave deflection element acts as an intermediary between the airborne grains and the detection surface. It intercepts grains carried by the air flow and redirects them onto the detection surface, enabling detection of grains that would otherwise escape direct detection and improving measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If the grain detection device only detects grains falling directly down, then the device structure remains simple, but the count rate is low and imprecise because most grains are carried away in the air flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from detecting only vertically falling grains to capturing grains in three-dimensional space. The concave deflection element intercepts grains traveling in various directions within the air flow and redirects them onto the detection surface, effectively adding spatial dimensions to the detection capability and improving count rate precision
Solution Approach 2:
The curved surface of the concave deflection element is specifically designed to intercept and redirect grains from multiple angular directions. This curved geometry enables the system to capture grains that would otherwise escape detection, significantly improving the precision of grain count rates
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The arrangement significantly enhances grain detection rates, allowing for more accurate control of working parameters and throughput in grain harvesting operations.
Implementation Method 1
a deflection element that reflects and concentrates the grains toward the grain detection device
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A grain flow sensor arrangement for a combine harvester (10), which includes a crop processing unit that emits a free-flying stream of grains during harvesting, is provided with an impact surface (66), a vibration sensor (74) for detecting grains impacting the impact surface (66), and a deflection element (64) arranged to redirect grains toward the impact surface (66). The deflection element (64) is located within the grain stream and has a concave shape that reflects and concentrates the grains toward the impact surface (66).