Combine Harvester Grain Feed Control via Sensor Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combine harvesters face challenges in maintaining optimal grain feed rates to the cleaning shoe, which affects the performance of the cleaning process due to variations in machine speed, terrain, and crop yield, leading to inefficiencies in grain separation and cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a sensor to monitor the grain feed rate and a control system to adjust the delivery of grain to the cleaning shoe, allowing for real-time adjustments of the sieve, chaffer openings, and fan speed based on the sensed feed rate, ensuring a consistent and optimal feed rate into the cleaning shoe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the grain feed rate to the cleaning shoe is not controlled, then the system is simpler to operate, but the cleaning performance varies due to changes in machine speed, terrain, and crop yield
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where a sensor detects the actual grain feed rate to the cleaning shoe, and this information is used by a controller to adjust the delivery system. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures consistent feed rate despite variations in machine speed, terrain, and crop yield, directly resolving the contradiction between reliable cleaning performance and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically adjusts the grain delivery rate based on sensor input without requiring manual intervention. The controller autonomously modifies the operation of the delivery system to maintain optimal feed rate, allowing the system to self-regulate and maintain cleaning performance while reducing the need for operator involvement in feed rate management.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the feed rate varies widely, then the delivery system can handle different crop conditions, but the cleaning shoe performance becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control of the feed rate to the cleaning shoe, allowing the system to adapt to varying crop conditions while maintaining consistent cleaning performance. The controller continuously adjusts the delivery system operation based on sensor feedback, enabling the feed rate to dynamically respond to changes in machine speed, terrain, and crop yield without compromising cleaning consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the delivery system (such as speed or throughput) based on sensor-detected feed rate conditions. This parameter adjustment allows the delivery system to adapt its output to match optimal cleaning requirements, maintaining cleaning consistency while providing versatility in handling different crop conditions and machine operating states.
3Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of cleaning shoe settings is required, then the system is easier to understand, but the response time to changing conditions is slower
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning shoe settings are automatically adjusted by the controller based on sensor input without requiring manual operator intervention. The system self-regulates the delivery operation and cleaning shoe parameters, eliminating the need for operators to manually adjust settings while significantly improving response time to changing feed rate conditions and maintaining optimal cleaning performance.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A delivery device (160, 270) is located at an inlet side of the cleaning shoe (118) in a combine harvester (100). The delivery device (160, 270) is controlled in order to control a feed rate of grain that is fed to the cleaning shoe (118). One or more controllable subsystems (234-244) are controlled based upon the feed rate.