Crosswind Compensation for Residue Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile machines, such as combines, face challenges in evenly distributing residue due to crosswinds, leading to uneven nutrient distribution and reprocessing of material, as operators struggle to continuously adjust spreader speeds or baffle positions to compensate for wind direction.

Innovation Solution

A wind sensor with an elongate shroud mounted transverse to the machine's direction of travel senses crosswind components, generating an action signal that controls the residue discharge direction, using a system that integrates with spreader speed and baffle control mechanisms to ensure uniform distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If operators manually adjust spreader speeds or baffle positions to compensate for crosswinds, then residue distribution can be improved, but operator workload and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresidue distribution uniformityVSAvoidoperator adjustment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses automated sensors and control mechanisms to adjust spreader speeds and baffle positions based on detected crosswind conditions, eliminating the need for continuous manual operator intervention. The machine self-regulates residue discharge parameters to maintain uniform distribution despite varying wind conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates sensors that detect crosswind conditions and feed this information back to the control system, which then automatically adjusts spreader and baffle settings. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures continuous optimization of residue distribution without requiring operator attention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If operators continuously monitor and adjust spreader speeds to compensate for crosswinds, then residue distribution uniformity improves, but operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresidue distribution uniformityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex manual mechanical adjustments with automated electronic control. Sensors detect crosswind conditions and electronically control actuators that adjust spreader speeds and baffle positions, simplifying the operator's task while maintaining precision through automated systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If manual adjustment methods are used to compensate for crosswinds, then some residue distribution control is achieved, but nutrient distribution uniformity deteriorates due to response delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment control capabilityVSAvoidnutrient distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The automated system continuously monitors crosswind conditions and immediately adjusts spreader and baffle settings through electronic control, eliminating the response delays inherent in manual adjustment. This real-time feedback ensures uniform nutrient distribution is maintained despite rapid changes in wind conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous automated adjustment of residue discharge parameters throughout operation, ensuring that compensation for crosswinds is constant and uninterrupted. This continuous action prevents the gaps and delays that occur with intermittent manual adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 solution enables automatic compensation for crosswinds, ensuring even residue distribution and reducing energy wastage by optimizing the direction of residue discharge, thereby maintaining nutrient uniformity and reducing reprocessing needs.

Implementation Method 1

a wind sensor that generates a wind sensor signal indicative of a wind speed and wind direction of air flow impinging on the wind sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWind sensor detection:

Data Source

PatentUS9699967B2Crosswind compensation for residue processing

Publication Date: 2017.07.11 DEERE & CO

AI summary

A wind speed sensor includes a shroud that is elongate along a longitudinal axis that is generally transverse to a direction of travel of a mobile machine to which it is mounted. The wind speed sensor senses a magnitude of a crosswind component. An action signal is generated based upon the crosswind component sensed by the wind speed sensor. The action signal can be used to control a direction of residue discharge from the mobile machine.