Harvester Control Arrangement Prevents Crop Jamming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Self-propelled harvesting machines face the risk of crop jamming and accumulation, leading to time-consuming and costly manual clearance, especially due to incorrect operation which can cause engine standstill and damage, and existing methods may not adequately prevent these issues during high engine load conditions.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a control arrangement that dynamically switches off the threshing mechanism and header arrangement based on the current crop processing status, using variables like conveyor feed rate and crop movement rate to prevent accumulation, and employing quick stop processes to manage drive overload and reduce crop loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the threshing mechanism and header arrangement are switched off simultaneously to avoid engine standstill, then engine stability is improved, but crop accumulation occurs in the threshing mechanism due to different overrun behaviors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine stabilityVSAvoidcrop accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The control arrangement switches off the header arrangement before the threshing mechanism when receiving a shutdown signal. This preliminary action allows the header arrangement to stop feeding crop to the threshing mechanism first, preventing crop accumulation while the threshing mechanism continues to process remaining crop and gradually decelerate, thus avoiding engine standstill.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of substance

If the header arrangement is switched off immediately with shorter follow-up time, then crop loss is reduced, but the threshing mechanism may accumulate crop due to its longer overrun behavior

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrop lossVSAvoidcrop accumulation in threshing mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The control arrangement implements a sequential shutdown where the header arrangement is switched off first (immediate action) to prevent further crop supply and minimize crop loss, while the threshing mechanism continues to operate during its overrun period to process remaining crop, thus avoiding accumulation problems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the threshing mechanism operates at high engine load for economic efficiency, then productivity is improved, but the risk of engine standstill increases due to sudden crop density increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeconomic efficiencyVSAvoidengine standstill risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control arrangement continuously monitors the operational status of the threshing mechanism and header arrangement, and based on this feedback, automatically implements the sequential shutdown procedure when a shutdown signal is received, preventing engine standstill while allowing high-load operation during normal conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2885961B1Self-propelled harvester
Publication Date: 2017.12.13 CLAAS SELBSTFAHRENDE ERNTEMASCHINEN GMBH
  • EP2885961B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2885961B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2885961B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a self-propelled harvesting machine, in particular a combine harvester (1), comprising a threshing unit (2), a header assembly (5) positioned upstream of the threshing unit (2) and a control arrangement (6) configured to switch off the threshing unit (2) and, if applicable, the header assembly (5) in response to an operator event. The invention is characterized in that the switching off occurs depending on the current processing state of the harvesting machine.