Crop Residue Distributor for Crosswind and Slope Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing harvester implements face challenges in evenly distributing crop residue across a field due to crosswinds and uphill slopes, causing residue to settle on downhill or downwind sides, which affects distribution width.

Innovation Solution

A residue distribution system with a flow channel and a residue distributor that directs crop residue towards one lateral side or the other to increase mass flow rate and discharge density, using fins or air systems to counteract the effects of crosswinds and slopes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If crop residue is broadcast using a conventional spreader, then the residue is distributed across the field, but the distribution becomes uneven due to crosswinds and slopes causing residue to settle on downhill or downwind sides

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistribution uniformityVSAvoidcrosswind and slope effects

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The residue distributor directs crop residue toward the uphill side or upwind side before broadcasting to pre-compensate for the expected settlement caused by gravity and crosswinds. This preliminary counter-action ensures that residue naturally settles into an even distribution pattern across the field width despite environmental factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different distribution strategies to different lateral zones of the spreader output. The residue distributor selectively directs residue toward specific lateral sides (uphill or upwind) based on detected conditions, creating non-uniform local distribution that results in uniform overall distribution after settlement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Area of stationary object

If the spreader broadcasts crop residue across the full field width, then coverage area is maximized, but discharge density becomes insufficient to overcome crosswind and slope effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresidue distribution widthVSAvoiddischarge density

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the lateral direction of residue flow using the residue distributor, changing the spatial distribution parameter of the discharged material. By directing residue toward uphill or upwind sides, the system modifies the effective discharge pattern to compensate for environmental forces while maintaining full width coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12389825B2Spreader distribution compensation through material flow manipulation

Publication Date: 2025.08.19 DEERE & CO

AI summary

A residue distribution system includes a flow channel having a first lateral side and a second lateral side disposed. A spreader is positioned proximate a downstream end of the flow channel, and broadcasts the flow of the crop residue. A residue distributor is positioned within the flow channel and upstream of the spreader for directing the crop residue toward one of the first lateral side or the second lateral side of the flow channel to increase a mass of the crop residue that side of the spreader, whereby a discharge density of the crop residue on that side of the spreader is increased to overcome effects of a crosswind or an uphill side-slope on broadcast distribution of the crop residue.