Combine Harvester Grain Sensor Placement After Centrifugal Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing combine harvesters face challenges in accurately detecting and quantifying grain loss amidst non-grain components like straw particles and chaff, leading to inefficiencies in grain recovery and processing adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A sensor arrangement comprising a conveying device with rotating disks and electro-optical sensors, such as cameras, positioned downstream to exploit centrifugal separation of grains and other residues, enhancing detection by imaging and processing the material stream for improved grain identification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If electro-optical sensors are positioned upstream in the material stream, then detection speed is improved, but detection accuracy deteriorates due to mixed grain and non-grain components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection speedVSAvoidgrain detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The conveying device performs preliminary separation of grains from non-grain components using centrifugal force before the optical sensor detects the material stream. This preliminary action of separating heavy grains from lightweight residues upstream allows the sensor positioned downstream to detect with high accuracy without being confused by mixed components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The conveying device acts as an intermediary between the material stream source and the optical sensor. It processes the material stream by separating grains from residues, and only presents the separated or partially separated material to the sensor, thereby improving detection accuracy while maintaining system speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If electro-optical sensors are positioned downstream in the material stream, then grain detection accuracy is improved through centrifugal separation, but detection speed deteriorates due to longer processing time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrain detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The conveying device performs preliminary centrifugal separation of grains from non-grain components before the optical sensor detects the material stream. This preliminary action of separating heavy grains from lightweight residues upstream allows the sensor positioned downstream to detect with high accuracy without being confused by mixed components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If a rotating conveying device with downstream sensor positioning is used, then grain separation and detection accuracy are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrain detection accuracyVSAvoidconveying device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical separation systems with a combination of simple rotating conveying mechanism and optical detection. The rotating disk creates centrifugal separation, and the optical sensor provides automated grain identification, substituting what would otherwise require complex mechanical sorting mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enhances grain detection accuracy and loss sensing, allowing for real-time adjustments to improve grain recovery and processing efficiency by distinguishing grains from non-grain components.

Implementation Method 1

The conveying device rotates which, because of centrifugal force, results in a separating action of relatively heavy grains, on the one hand, and relatively lightweight other crop residues (e.g., chaff, straw particles), on the other hand

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentUS20260060176A1Sensor arrangement for detecting grains in a material stream containing grains and non-grain components in a combine harvester

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 DEERE & CO

AI summary

A sensor arrangement for detecting grains in a material stream that contains grains and non-grain components in a combine harvester (10) may include a conveying device. The conveying device may include an inlet and an outlet (74). A material stream may be formed in response to a rotating movement in the conveying device. The sensor arrangement may also include an electro-optical sensor arranged on the outer circumference of the conveying device and configured to view the material stream. The sensor arrangement may also include an electronic processing device for detecting grains in the material stream by using the signal from the electro-optical sensor. The electro-optical sensor may be arranged in the downstream region of the conveying device.