Field Chopper Cable Management via Dynamic Winding and Pivotable Ejection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing field chopper electrification methods face challenges in providing reliable and efficient energy supply, especially in high-power operations, where conventional diesel motors require larger installation spaces and lack efficient energy distribution.

Innovation Solution

A cable-bound field chopper system with a cable drum, winding drive, adjustable cable arm, and pivotable ejection chute, controlled by a unit receiving GPS and topography data to manage energy supply line unwinding and winding along defined processing strips, ensuring minimal tensile force and safe clearance from transport vehicles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If cable-bound operation is used for electrification, then power supply efficiency is improved and installation space is reduced, but cable management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply efficiencyVSAvoidcable management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cable drum is made rotatable to dynamically unwind and wind the energy supply line during field operations. This dynamic mechanism allows the cable to be automatically managed as the field chopper moves, eliminating the need for complex external cable routing while maintaining continuous power supply.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The energy supply line acts as an intermediary between the stationary power source and the moving field chopper. By using a flexible cable that can be wound and unwound, the system mediates the connection between fixed infrastructure and mobile equipment, enabling electrification without rigid cable constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the cable arm is made adjustable in orientation and extension length, then cable laying precision is improved, but mechanical complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable laying precisionVSAvoidmechanical complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cable arm incorporates adjustable orientation and extension length capabilities, transforming from a rigid fixed structure to a dynamic positioning mechanism. This allows the cable to be precisely laid along the field surface while accommodating variations in terrain and operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cable arm provides localized adjustment capabilities at specific positions along its length, allowing different sections to be optimized for different functions. This enables precise cable placement without requiring the entire system to be overly complex.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If the ejection chute is made pivotable to extend beyond the cable arm, then material transfer efficiency is improved, but risk of cable interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial transfer efficiencyVSAvoidrisk of cable interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The ejection chute is designed to be pivotable, allowing it to dynamically change its position and extend beyond the cable arm when needed for efficient material transfer. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to optimize material ejection while maintaining safe clearance from the energy supply line.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If GPS and topography data are used to control cable unwinding and winding, then operational reliability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit receives GPS and topography data to create a feedback loop that monitors the field chopper's position and terrain conditions. This feedback enables automatic adjustment of cable unwinding and winding operations, ensuring reliable power supply while adapting to real-time operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Manual cable management is replaced with an automated control system that uses electronic sensors (GPS) and data processing (topography) to manage cable deployment. This substitution of mechanical manual operations with electronic automation improves reliability while the complexity is managed through integrated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11492229B2Method, apparatus and system for the electrification of a field chopper

Publication Date: 2022.11.08 DEERE & CO

AI summary

A method for electrification of a field chopper comprising the steps of: providing a cable drum and a winding drive on the field chopper, the cable drum and winding drive allowing at least one of the winding and unwinding of an energy supply line about the cable drum; providing a cable arm on the field chopper, the cable arm configured to adjust in at least one of an orientation and extension length to provide guided winding or unwinding of the energy supply line along a field surface; providing a pivotable ejection chute on the field chopper, the ejection chute extending beyond the cable arm and configured to transfer a chopped harvested material onto a transport vehicle driving alongside the field chopper; unwinding the energy supply line while along a first processing strip from the cable drum using the winding drive and cable arm; and winding the energy supply while along a second processing strip about the cable drum using the winding drive and the cable.