Agricultural Engine Power Level Switching for Fuel Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural working machines, such as combine harvesters, often operate their internal combustion engines at higher power levels than necessary, leading to increased fuel consumption and pollutant emissions due to varying power requirements based on crop density and attachment usage, without optimal power level adaptation.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a control system that allows the internal combustion engine to operate at different power levels, with preselectable power level ranges, enabling automated switching between these levels based on actual power requirements, ensuring optimal power usage for specific conditions and reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the internal combustion engine operates at higher power levels to ensure sufficient power for varying agricultural tasks, then power availability is improved, but fuel consumption and pollutant emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power level adjustment by enabling the control device to automatically switch between multiple power levels based on real-time monitoring of actual power requirements. The system continuously adapts the engine's power output to match the instantaneous demands of working units, transitioning from static high-power operation to dynamic power management that optimizes the balance between power availability and fuel efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of the internal combustion engine by implementing multiple preselectable power levels with different maximum power characteristics. The control device monitors actual power requirements and adjusts engine parameters (such as fuel injection quantity, air intake) to operate at the appropriate power level, thereby reducing fuel consumption and emissions while maintaining sufficient power for varying agricultural tasks
2Power
If the internal combustion engine operates at higher power levels to meet maximum power demands, then power sufficiency is improved, but pollutant emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the engine's power output by switching between multiple power levels based on actual requirements. The control device continuously monitors power consumption of working units and adapts the engine's operating point in real-time, preventing unnecessary high-power operation that would generate excessive pollutant emissions while ensuring power sufficiency when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multiple power levels with different maximum power settings and enables the control device to select appropriate power levels based on actual demands. By changing engine operating parameters (fuel injection, air supply, ignition timing) to match the selected power level, the system reduces pollutant emissions during low-power tasks while maintaining power sufficiency capability
3Loss of energy
If the control device automatically switches between power levels based on power requirements, then fuel efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the engine's power output capability into multiple discrete power levels, each with defined maximum power characteristics. The control device is configured to select from these predefined segments based on actual power requirements, simplifying the control logic compared to continuous power adjustment while still achieving significant fuel efficiency improvements through targeted power level selection
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The present invention relates to an agricultural machine (1), in particular a harvesting machine, wherein an internal combustion engine (8) is provided which can be operated in different power levels (LS), in each of which it has a different power characteristic (K), wherein at least one working unit (5) is provided to which power (P) delivered by the internal combustion engine (8) can be supplied, and wherein a control device (12) is provided which is configured to effect an automated switching of the internal combustion engine (8) from one of the power levels (LS) to another of the power levels (LS) as soon as the power requirement assigned to the at least one working unit (5) changes.It is proposed that the power levels (LS) are assigned to different, preselectable power level ranges (BLS) which differ from each other at least in the highest, respective assigned power level (LS), and that the control device (12) is configured to effect switching of the internal combustion engine (8) only between power levels (LS) of the respective preselected power level range (BLS).