Clean Grain Elevator Paddle Detection for Broken Paddle Alerts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing combine harvesters lack a rapid and automatic method to detect broken or missing grain paddles in the clean grain elevator, leading to potential damage from increased grain load on remaining paddles.

Innovation Solution

A sensor system is employed to detect the presence of grain paddles, using various types of sensors (electrical, optical, magnetic, etc.) that communicate with a controller to identify broken or missing paddles based on signal patterns, time delays, or changes in rotational speed and load, alerting the operator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If no detection system is used, then the system complexity is low, but the reliability of the grain elevator deteriorates due to undetected broken paddles causing further damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrain elevator reliabilityVSAvoiddetection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical inspection methods with sensor-based detection systems. Optical sensors, magnetic sensors, or force sensors are used to detect broken paddles, eliminating the need for manual mechanical inspection and improving reliability while maintaining acceptable system complexity through automated detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The detection system provides real-time feedback to the control system when a broken paddle is detected. This feedback mechanism allows the system to respond immediately by alerting the operator or automatically adjusting operation, thereby maintaining high reliability through continuous monitoring and rapid response.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If manual inspection is used, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity deteriorates due to increased downtime from undetected paddle failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombine harvester productivityVSAvoidinspection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The grain elevator system performs self-inspection through automated sensor systems that continuously monitor paddle integrity. The system detects broken paddles independently without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining high productivity through continuous operation while the automated system handles the inspection function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The detection system performs preliminary detection of broken paddles before they cause significant damage or downtime. By detecting issues early and providing advance warning, the system allows for planned maintenance during convenient time windows, minimizing productivity loss and avoiding emergency stoppages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of time

If no detection system is implemented, then the ease of operation is high, but the loss of time increases due to delayed detection of broken paddles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection response timeVSAvoidsystem operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual inspection operations with automated sensor systems that continuously monitor paddle condition. This substitution eliminates the time loss associated with manual checking while maintaining ease of operation through automated detection and alert systems that require minimal operator intervention beyond receiving notifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The detection system operates continuously throughout the grain elevator's operation, providing uninterrupted monitoring of paddle integrity. This continuous action eliminates detection gaps and ensures immediate awareness of broken paddles, reducing time loss while the system maintains simple operation through automated continuous monitoring and alerting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

Enables rapid identification of broken or missing paddles, preventing further damage to the clean grain elevator by alerting the operator, thereby maintaining machine integrity.

Implementation Method 1

using various types of sensors such as optical, magnetic, or force sensors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection:

Implementation Method 2

using various types of sensors such as optical, magnetic, or force sensors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic detection:

Implementation Method 3

using various types of sensors such as optical, magnetic, or force sensors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce detection:

Data Source

PatentUS12628737B2Broken paddle detection system for elevator of combine harvester

Publication Date: 2026.05.19 CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC

AI summary

A system for detecting a broken or missing grain paddle of an elevator of a combine harvester includes a sensor positioned to either directly or indirectly detect a presence of grain paddles of the elevator, and output signals based thereon. The system also includes a controller that is configured to receive the signals output from the sensor and determine the occurrence of the broken or missing grain paddle as a function of the signals transmitted by the sensor.