Automated Concave Leveling for Combine Harvesters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current combine harvesters face inefficiencies in adjusting the separation distance between the rotor and concave, leading to downtime and increased labor costs during the leveling and zeroing operations.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system that automatically establishes a selected gap size between the rotor and concave using sensors and actuators, allowing for precise positioning and reducing manual intervention by detecting contact and adjusting the gap size through controlled displacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual leveling and zeroing operations are performed to adjust the separation distance between rotor and concave, then positioning accuracy can be achieved, but harvester downtime increases and labor costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegap size precisionVSAvoidharvester downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic self-leveling and self-zeroing operations using sensors to detect contact between the concave and rotor, and actuators to automatically adjust the concave position. This eliminates the need for manual intervention while maintaining precise gap size establishment, thereby reducing both downtime and labor costs while achieving the required positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If manual leveling and zeroing operations are performed to adjust the separation distance between rotor and concave, then positioning accuracy can be achieved, but labor costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegap size precisionVSAvoidlabor costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The automated system performs self-leveling and self-zeroing operations without requiring manual labor. The control system coordinates sensors and actuators to automatically establish the correct gap size, eliminating the need for operators to perform these adjustments manually, thereby reducing labor costs while maintaining precise positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment operations with an automated control system that uses sensors to detect contact and actuators to position the concave. This substitution of manual mechanical operations with an automated electromechanical system reduces labor requirements while achieving the same positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If automated sensing and actuation systems are implemented to establish gap size, then harvester productivity increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharvester productivityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses sensors to detect contact between the concave and rotor, providing feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the control system automatically adjusts the concave position using actuators until the correct gap size is established. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables automated operation that improves productivity while managing system complexity through intelligent control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

This solution reduces harvester downtime, increases productivity, and decreases labor costs associated with establishing the correct clearance distance, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the harvesting process.

Implementation Method 1

detecting contact between the concave and the rotor with a sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectContact detection:

Data Source

PatentUS11510369B2Systems and methods for automated concave leveling of combine harvester

Publication Date: 2022.11.29 DEERE & CO

AI summary

Systems and methods for automatically establishing a gap between a concave and a rotor of a rotary crop processing system are disclosed. Establishing the gap may include displacing the concave towards the rotor until contact is detected therebetween. Contact may be detected using a sensor configured to detect contact between the rotor and the concave. The sensor may be a knock sensor. The concave is displaced away from the rotor when contact is detected until contact between the rotor and the concave is no longer detected. One or more actuators may be coupled to the concave to move the concave relative to the rotor. In some implementations, the actuators may be operated in sequence to form the gap between the rotor and the concave.