Agricultural Machine Engine Coupling for Predictive Load Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural machines face challenges in managing unplanned changes in the speed of internal combustion engines due to varying load conditions, leading to potential stalling or inefficient operation.
Innovation Solution
A self-propelled agricultural machine with an adjustable coupling between the internal combustion engine and auxiliary/working units, controlled by a predictive control device that anticipates and counteracts impending speed changes using sensors and algorithms to optimize energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the internal combustion engine operates under varying load conditions, then the machine can adapt to different working requirements, but the engine speed becomes unstable and may stall
Solution Approach 1:
The control device predicts future load changes on the internal combustion engine before they actually occur and preemptively adjusts the coupling of auxiliary units. This preliminary action prevents speed fluctuations and stalling by preparing the system in advance, rather than reacting after the problem occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device continuously monitors the operating state of the internal combustion engine and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the coupling of auxiliary units. This closed-loop control ensures engine speed stability while adapting to varying working requirements by constantly comparing actual performance with desired performance.
2Device complexity
If the coupling between the internal combustion engine and auxiliary units is fixed, then the structure is simple, but the engine cannot respond to unexpected load peaks
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling between the internal combustion engine and auxiliary units is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The control device can modify the coupling state in real-time based on predicted and actual load conditions, allowing the system to adapt to unexpected load peaks while maintaining operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling parameters between the engine and auxiliary units are made variable. By changing the coupling state (e.g., from fully coupled to partially decoupled), the system can manage load peaks and prevent engine stalling, transforming a static structure into a controllable, adaptive system.
3Power
If the engine operates at maximum power continuously, then sufficient power is available for all working units, but energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuously coupling all auxiliary units to the engine at maximum power, the control device selectively couples only the necessary auxiliary units based on actual working requirements and predicted load changes. This partial action approach ensures sufficient power availability while avoiding the energy waste of operating all units at full capacity continuously.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a self-propelled agricultural machine (1) for picking up, processing and conveying harvested crops (2). The present invention is based on the general idea that an unplanned impending change in the speed of the internal combustion engine (4) is detected in advance and that this unplanned impending change in the speed of the internal combustion engine (4) is counteracted.