Agricultural Engine Power Distribution for Drive Overload Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural working machines face challenges in utilizing the full engine power due to limitations in drive transmission, leading to potential overload of units and inefficient power distribution, which results in increased costs and reduced productivity.
Innovation Solution
The engine is restricted to full-load mode only for high-power aggregates and specific part-load stages, ensuring that drives are not overloaded, with speed control adjusted to maintain optimal performance and reserve power for full-load operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the engine delivers full power to all units, then the power output is maximized, but the drives become overloaded and require expensive adaptations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by distributing different power levels to different aggregates based on their specific requirements. The engine operates at full power for high-power aggregates (sep, chopper, grain tank emptying) while limiting power for other units (travel drive, harvesting attachment, threshing drum, separating unit, cleaning fan) to prevent overload. This selective power distribution allows the engine to deliver maximum power where needed without overloading any single drive system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the engine speed range is expanded, then the flexibility of operation is improved, but the aggregates that are directly coupled to engine speed cannot operate at constant optimal speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the operating modes into distinct part-load stages (first through fourth stages) with progressively reduced power levels. Each stage is optimized for specific operating conditions and aggregate combinations. This segmentation allows the engine to maintain constant optimal speed for directly coupled aggregates (threshing drum, separating unit, cleaning fan) while providing adaptable power distribution across different operational scenarios through selective engagement of aggregates in each stage.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the engine power is reduced for all units, then the fuel consumption decreases, but the productivity and work efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management through multiple part-load stages that can be selectively engaged based on operational requirements. The engine dynamically adjusts power distribution by engaging or disengaging specific aggregates in different stages rather than uniformly reducing power to all units. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain high productivity when full power is needed for high-power aggregates while reducing fuel consumption during operations that require less power, optimizing the balance between energy efficiency and work output.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for driving an agricultural machine with a drive system and auxiliary units by means of a power unit is disclosed, wherein in different operating modes of the machine the drive system and the auxiliary units are driven or undriven in different combinations, the auxiliary units are driven within a limited speed range (12) of the power unit, and the power unit switches between a full-load stage with maximum power and a plurality of partial-load stages with progressively reduced power compared to the full-load stage, depending on the load. To protect the auxiliary units from overload, the invention proposes that the power unit be switchable to the full-load stage only in one full-load mode and to partial-load stages only in every other operating mode.