Grain Pan Oscillation Control via Crop Stratification Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current combine harvesters face limitations in increasing the capacity of the grain cleaning system without compromising grain cleanliness or machine size, as existing methods require physical enlargement which is constrained by road transport legislation and undesirable turn radius changes.
Innovation Solution
A combine harvester equipped with a grain pan that oscillates fore and aft, featuring a vertical array of photoelectric sensing devices to analyze material stratification, allowing for closed-loop control of the grain pan's oscillation frequency to optimize stratification and enhance cleaning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the width of the cleaning shoe is increased to deliver increased machine capacity, then the capacity is improved, but the machine width increases which is limited by road transport legislation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from increasing cleaning shoe width (horizontal dimension) to extending the return pan length (longitudinal dimension). The extended return pan conveys separated material from overhead threshing apparatus to the front of the grain pan, creating an extended cleaning path that increases capacity without increasing machine width.
2Productivity
If the length of the chaffer is increased to increase machine capacity, then the capacity is improved, but the wheel base and turn radius increase which is undesirable to farmers
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending the chaffer length (horizontal dimension), the patent extends the return pan in the longitudinal direction, creating an extended cleaning path that increases capacity without increasing wheel base or turn radius.
Solution Approach 2:
The extended return pan performs preliminary conveyance of separated material from overhead threshing apparatus to the front of the grain pan, creating stratification before the material enters the cleaning shoe. This preliminary action allows for more efficient cleaning without requiring a longer chaffer.
3Manufacturing precision
If the speed of the cleaning airstream is increased to improve grain cleanliness, then the cleanliness is improved, but the grain loss increases due to grain being carried out of the rear of the shoe
Solution Approach 1:
The extended return pan performs preliminary stratification of the crop stream, separating grain-rich material from MOG-rich material before the material enters the cleaning shoe. This preliminary action allows the cleaning airstream to operate at optimal speeds for cleanliness without causing excessive grain loss, as the stratified material is more easily separated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates sensors to detect the stratification state of the crop stream on the grain pan and uses this feedback to automatically adjust the oscillation frequency of the grain pan. This feedback mechanism optimizes the stratification process, ensuring that grain and MOG are properly separated without grain loss.
4Productivity
If the oscillation frequency of the grain pan is adjusted to optimize stratification, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the system complexity increases due to the need for sensors and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses sensors to detect the stratification state of the crop stream and automatically adjusts the grain pan oscillation frequency based on this feedback. This automated feedback mechanism optimizes cleaning effectiveness while minimizing the need for manual intervention and complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the natural oscillation of the grain pan and adjusts it automatically based on sensor feedback, allowing the system to self-optimize the stratification process without requiring complex external control mechanisms or manual adjustment.
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
The system effectively determines the stratification status of the crop material on the grain pan, enabling optimized grain pan operation to improve throughput and cleaning effectiveness while maintaining grain cleanliness without the need for physical enlargement of the machine.
Implementation Method 1
each photoelectric sensing device is configured to sense a reflectance of crop material disposed against the panel
Data Source
AI summary
A combine harvester includes a grain pan that is arranged to catch a crop stream. The grain pan is driven in a fore and aft oscillating manner to convey the crop stream rearwardly across a conveyance surface to a rear edge. The grain pan is provided with an upright panel extending in a fore and aft direction on the conveyance surface. A grain cleaning system is arranged to receive the crop stream from the grain pan. A crop stream analysis system is provided for analysing a vertical section of a crop material layer disposed on the grain pan. The analysis system includes a vertical array of photoelectric sensing devices mounted to the panel. Each photoelectric sensing device is configured to sense a reflectance of crop material disposed against the panel. A processor is configured to receive reflectance signals from the photoelectric sensing devices and determine a material stratification status from the reflectance signals.