Agricultural Distribution Machine Lighting for Component Visibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distribution machines in agriculture, such as precision seed drills, face challenges in visual control of their components due to strong reflections from halogen headlights, making it difficult for operators to assess the functionality from a distance, especially in low light conditions, and are inefficient in illumination.
Innovation Solution
The lighting characteristic of at least one light source is changed, including color and flashing frequency, to provide direct feedback on the operating status of components, with LED light sources being used for efficient illumination, and sensors to automatically switch lights on and off based on brightness, ensuring clear visibility of dosing and dispensing elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the entire machine is illuminated by powerful halogen headlights, then all parts of the machine can be recognized, but the components to be observed in detail are not particularly easy to recognize due to strong reflections and it is uneconomical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by illuminating only specific components (dosing elements, centrifugal discs, throwing vanes) rather than the entire machine. This targeted approach reduces overall light intensity requirements and minimizes harmful reflections from non-critical areas while ensuring sufficient illumination where observation is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination system is segmented into multiple independent light sources, each assigned to illuminate specific components. This allows selective illumination of dosing elements, centrifugal discs, and throwing vanes independently, enabling operators to focus on critical components without being overwhelmed by reflections from the entire machine structure.
2Illumination intensity
If the entire machine is illuminated by powerful halogen headlights, then all parts of the machine can be recognized, but it is uneconomical to illuminate and/or illuminate the entire machine with high-intensity lamps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by directing illumination only to specific components that require observation (dosing elements, centrifugal discs, throwing vanes) rather than illuminating the entire machine. This localized approach significantly reduces the total energy consumption of the lighting system while maintaining adequate visibility of critical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system operates periodically rather than continuously, with lights being switched on only when observation of components is required and switched off when not needed. This periodic operation reduces overall energy consumption while ensuring adequate illumination when required for monitoring distribution processes.
3Illumination intensity
If traditional lighting is used, then components can be illuminated, but no clear statement can be made about the functionality of the machine from a distance due to ever-growing machines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color changes by using LEDs that can emit different colors (e.g., green for normal operation, red for faults) to indicate the operational status of components. This color-coding system enables operators to assess machine functionality from a distance without needing to approach closely or rely on subtle brightness variations alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system incorporates periodic flashing or pulsing patterns to enhance visibility from a distance. By modulating the light output in distinctive patterns, operators can detect component status and identify potential issues from greater distances, overcoming the limitation of large machine size that obscures detailed observation.
4Productivity
If material to be distributed is not visible from the outside during the distribution process, then no direct visual control of the distribution process is possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-changing LEDs to provide visual feedback on the operational status of dosing elements and distribution components. Different colors indicate whether materials are being correctly fed and distributed, enabling operators to monitor the distribution process visually from a distance without needing to see the material itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system provides immediate visual feedback on the distribution process by illuminating and color-coding components based on their operational status. This feedback mechanism allows operators to detect issues with material feeding or distribution in real-time and take corrective action, maintaining productivity without direct visual access to the material flow.
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 solution allows for a simple visual check of the distribution process from a distance, even in the dark, providing direct feedback on the operation status and ensuring precise setting of dosing elements without additional aids, enhancing operational efficiency and visibility of material distribution.
Implementation Method 1
The lighting characteristic of at least one light source is changed, including color and flashing frequency, to provide direct feedback on the operating status of components, with LED light sources being used for efficient illumination
Implementation Method 2
the light beams emitted by the at least one light source at least partially catch the material particles thrown off the throwing vanes in a scattering fan on and/or illuminate
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Distribution machine, particularly for agriculture, with at least one storage container (2, 15, 30) for receiving granular material to be distributed, which in its lower area has at least one metering element (5, 18) and/or at least one dispensing element (32) for distributing the granular material, wherein at least parts of the distribution machine are assigned illuminating light sources (11, 25, 37, 38), wherein the at least one light source is designed and/or oriented such that the at least one light source illuminates the at least one metering element and/or the at least one dispensing element, characterized in that the illumination characteristic of the at least one light source is changed at least approximately simultaneously with the distribution process.