Crop Analysis Apparatus Sloped Gutter Gravity Feed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crop analysis apparatuses in combine harvesters face reliability and consistency issues due to variable grain supply, especially when the harvester is on a sloped surface, leading to irregular image-taking frequencies.
Innovation Solution
The crop analysis apparatus is designed with a grain entrance located in a plane parallel to the elevator's outer plane on the up-going side, featuring a sloped gutter portion that ensures a constant supply of crops to the analysis area, eliminating the need for a level sensor and maintaining a fresh batch for analysis by positioning the entrance and gutter above the analysis area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the grain entrance is located at the conventional position, then the apparatus structure is simple, but the grain supply becomes unreliable on sloped surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The grain entrance is repositioned from a conventional side-mounted location to a position in the up-going path plane of the elevator, utilizing a different spatial dimension. This dimensional change allows gravity to naturally feed grain into the analysis chamber regardless of harvester slope, eliminating the need for complex mechanical feed mechanisms while ensuring reliable grain supply.
2Productivity
If the grain entrance is positioned to ensure constant supply, then image-taking frequency increases, but the apparatus requires more space above the analysis area
Solution Approach 1:
The grain entrance and sloped gutter are positioned above the analysis chamber to pre-feed and accumulate grain in the analysis area before imaging occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that a complete batch of grain is always ready for analysis, enabling continuous high-frequency imaging without requiring excessive housing height.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the harvester operates on sloped surfaces, then field operational capability is maintained, but grain supply to the analyser becomes irregular
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the grain entrance in the up-going path plane and using a sloped gutter configuration, the system creates a gravity-driven feed mechanism that maintains equipotential grain flow conditions. This ensures consistent grain supply to the analysis chamber regardless of the harvester's orientation or slope, allowing field operation on various terrains without compromising supply stability.
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 configuration ensures a consistent and reliable crop supply, allowing for more frequent and reliable image-taking, even on sloped surfaces, by ensuring a continuous flow of crops into the analysis area, thus enhancing the apparatus's operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the crops fall more easily into this entrance, and subsequently slide down the sloped gutter portion
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention is related to an apparatus for analysing crop composition of crops moving in a grain elevator, said elevator comprising paddles (3) moving up on an up-going side (1) of the elevator and down on a down-going side (2) of the elevator, said apparatus comprising a crop entrance (15) for entry of crops from the up-going paddles to the analysing apparatus and a housing (10) for containing a portion of crops to be analysed. The apparatus is characterized in that the crop entrance (15) is located in a plane parallel to the elevator's outer wall (7) at the up-going side (1) of the elevator, and in that the apparatus further comprises a sloped gutter portion (16) for bringing crops from said crop entrance towards the housing (10). The invention is also related to a combine harvester equipped with such an apparatus.