Conditioner Roller Vibration Sensing Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mower conditioner rollers in agricultural mechanisms experience vibrations due to improper spacing, leading to inefficiencies in crop conditioning, as they can shift during operation and require frequent adjustments to maintain optimal proximity without contacting each other.

Innovation Solution

A crop conditioning system equipped with an accelerometer to sense vibrations between rollers, allowing for precise adjustment of the roll gap by moving the rollers away from contact, using an arm and linkage system to maintain optimal spacing and prevent vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the rollers are positioned in close proximity to each other for optimal crop conditioning, then the crop conditioning efficiency is improved, but the rollers may contact each other during rotation causing vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrop conditioning efficiencyVSAvoidvibrations
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The accelerometer provides real-time feedback on roller contact vibrations, enabling the control system to detect when rollers are contacting and automatically adjust the roll gap to eliminate contact while maintaining optimal conditioning performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically monitors and adjusts roller positioning using the accelerometer and control system, eliminating the need for manual intervention to prevent vibrations while maintaining optimal crop conditioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the rollers are adjusted to rotate without contacting each other to prevent vibrations, then vibrations are reduced, but the roll gap increases reducing crop conditioning efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevibrationsVSAvoidcrop conditioning efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The accelerometer continuously monitors for roller contact vibrations and provides feedback to the control system, which automatically adjusts the roll gap to the minimum non-contact position, optimizing both vibration reduction and crop conditioning efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the roller positioning based on real-time vibration detection, allowing the roll gap to vary automatically to maintain optimal conditioning while preventing contact vibrations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If manual adjustment of roller position is performed frequently to maintain optimal spacing, then the roll gap can be maintained, but time and operational efficiency are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroll gap precisionVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The accelerometer-based detection system with automatic control continuously maintains optimal roller spacing without manual intervention, eliminating time loss from frequent adjustments while preserving precise roll gap control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Real-time vibration feedback from the accelerometer enables automatic detection and correction of roller positioning deviations, maintaining precision without requiring manual measurement and adjustment

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

The system effectively prevents vibrations by adjusting the roll gap to ensure optimal spacing between rollers, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of crop conditioning operations by providing a method to detect and adjust for contact between rollers during rotation.

Implementation Method 1

An accelerometer is positioned to sense vibration in response to the first conditioner roller and the second conditioner roller contacting each other during rotation about their respective central longitudinal axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP3954194B1Mechanism for sensing vibration in conditioner rollers
Publication Date: 2024.01.03 DEERE & CO
  • EP3954194B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3954194B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3954194B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A conditioner roller vibration sensing mechanism having first and second rotatable conditioner rollers (16, 18) spaced apart in close proximity to each other and between which cut crop can be directed as the rollers rotate during operation. The first roller (16) is shiftable with respect to the second roller (18) for adjusting the spacing between the rollers. The rollers vibrate when the rollers are spaced in such close proximity to each other that they contact each other as they rotate. An arm (28) pivotally mounted to a frame (24) supports the first roller, and the frame (24) supports the second roller. The arm (28) is movable to shift the first roller with respect to the second roller. An accelerometer (38) is operatively coupled to the rollers (16, 18) for sensing the vibration created when the first and second rollers (16, 18) are positioned so close to each other to contact each other.