Agricultural Distribution Tool Height Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for distributing and compacting harvested crops are inefficient, leading to uneven distribution and increased operational costs due to manual control and lack of precise automation.

Innovation Solution

A distribution tool mounted on an agricultural working machine with automatic movement control, using sensors and a power lift to adjust the working height based on residual crop volume and distribution route, ensuring even distribution and compaction with minimal manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual control is used for distributing crops, then operational flexibility is maintained, but distribution uniformity and efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistribution uniformityVSAvoidmanual control requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The distribution tool automatically adjusts its working height and distribution parameters based on sensor feedback about remaining crop volume and distance traveled, enabling the system to self-regulate without continuous manual intervention while maintaining even distribution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Recording means (sensors) detect parameters such as remaining crop volume and distance traveled, and this information is fed back to the control device which automatically adjusts the distribution tool's working height and movement to achieve uniform distribution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple trips are made for crop distribution, then complete distribution is achieved, but time consumption and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistribution completenessVSAvoidnumber of trips
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system calculates and plans the optimal distribution path and working height adjustments in advance based on the total crop volume and field characteristics, enabling complete distribution in a single pass without requiring multiple trips

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The distribution tool dynamically adjusts its working height and distribution rate during the operation based on real-time sensor data about remaining crop volume and distance traveled, allowing adaptive optimization of the distribution process to complete the task efficiently in fewer passes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If automatic movement control is implemented, then distribution precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistribution precisionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device integrates multiple functions including receiving sensor data, calculating distribution parameters, controlling the distribution tool's movement and height adjustment, and monitoring progress, thereby achieving precise automatic control through a single multi-functional control system rather than multiple separate systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3563667B1Method for distributing harvested material
Publication Date: 2021.03.17 DEERE & CO
  • EP3563667B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3563667B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3563667B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for distributing prepared harvested material (18) by means of a distribution tool (16) during a distribution process, wherein the distribution tool (16) is movably mounted on an agricultural machine (10) and its movement is at least partially automatically controlled such that a defined working height (70) of the distribution tool (16) is set relative to a reference surface (72). The working height (70) is adjusted during the distribution process depending on the remaining harvested material (18_R) to be distributed and the remaining distance (74_R) along a distribution path (74) for the distribution of the harvested material (18).