Agricultural Conveyor Speed Control for Blockage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural mowing apparatuses face issues with conveyor blockages due to increased harvesting throughput at higher vehicle speeds, leading to undesirable stoppages during time-sensitive operations.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural apparatus with a control unit that adjusts the speed of conveyors and their transverse position based on real-time signals from the vehicle and conveyor speeds, preventing blockages by optimizing conveyor operation in response to varying crop volumes and vehicle speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the speed of the agricultural vehicle is increased to improve harvesting throughput, then productivity increases, but conveyor blockage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor speed is made dynamically adjustable based on vehicle speed. The control unit receives signals from speed sensors and automatically adjusts conveyor operation speeds to match varying vehicle speeds, transforming the static conveyor system into a dynamic one that adapts to changing operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by using speed sensors to continuously monitor vehicle speed and conveyor speed, comparing these signals with desired values, and automatically adjusting conveyor speeds to maintain optimal operation and prevent blockages.
2Productivity
If conveyor speed is increased to match higher vehicle speeds, then harvesting throughput increases, but crop build-up on conveyors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors both vehicle speed and conveyor speed through dedicated sensors, compares actual speeds with desired speeds, and automatically adjusts conveyor operation to maintain optimal crop flow rates that prevent build-up while matching vehicle speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the conveyors (speed) based on vehicle speed variations. By dynamically adjusting conveyor speed parameters rather than operating at constant speeds, the system maintains optimal crop flow rates that prevent build-up while maximizing throughput.
3Ease of operation
If constant conveyor speed is used to simplify operation, then ease of operation is maintained, but blockage prevention capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system performs self-adjustment through automatic control. The control unit automatically adjusts conveyor speeds based on vehicle speed signals without requiring operator intervention, making the system self-regulating while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from speed sensors to automatically adjust conveyor operation, eliminating the need for manual speed adjustments while preventing blockages. This maintains ease of operation through automatic control rather than manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural apparatus including an agricultural vehicle and a number of work units suitable for cutting standing crop, including a front work unit and two lateral work units located behind and to the sides of the front work unit, each of the work units deposit cut crop as a swath. Each of the lateral work units include a conveyor to deposit cut crop. A plurality of sensors determine the speed of the agricultural apparatus and the speed of operation of each of the conveyors. A control unit receives inputs from the sensors, compares the inputs to a predetermined set of values for a desired vehicle speed and a speed of operation of the conveyors, and as indicated by the comparison, adjusts the speed of operation of at least one conveyor.