Harvester Crop Distribution Guide Elements Slope Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing combine harvester distribution devices struggle to maintain a constant distribution width on sloping terrain, leading to uneven crop deposition and reduced throwing paths due to varying distances from the field floor.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating adjustable guide elements downstream of the distribution device that can pivot in the vertical direction, allowing for slope-dependent adjustment of the throwing path, and utilizing a slope compensation system with inclination sensors and actuators to maintain a horizontal machine housing position, ensuring consistent distribution width regardless of slope.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the distribution device is aligned with the field inclination on slopes, then the throwing path is extended uphill, but the distribution width becomes uneven and crop is deposited inconsistently across the field

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethrowing pathVSAvoiddistribution width consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The distribution device incorporates adjustable guide plates that can dynamically change their orientation angle relative to the horizontal plane. This allows the device to adapt its configuration based on slope conditions, maintaining consistent distribution width while accommodating varying throwing path requirements on inclined terrain

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the orientation parameter of the guide plates from a fixed alignment with the slope to an adjustable angle relative to the horizontal. This parameter change enables the guide plates to deflect crop material consistently across the distribution width regardless of slope inclination, resolving the contradiction between throwing path extension and distribution uniformity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the machine housing is aligned vertically with slope compensation, then the distribution device maintains a constant position, but the throwing path varies due to changing distance from the field floor on slopes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine housing positionVSAvoidthrowing path
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

While the machine housing remains stable through slope compensation, the guide plates introduce a dynamic adjustment mechanism that compensates for the varying throwing path caused by slope-induced distance changes. The guide plates can be angled to extend the throwing path uphill or reduce it downhill, maintaining consistent crop distribution despite the fixed machine position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the orientation parameter of the guide plates to compensate for the fixed distance parameter of the distribution device on slopes. By adjusting the guide plate angle, the effective throwing path is modified to account for the varying vertical distance from the distribution device to the field floor on inclined terrain

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Area of stationary object

If the distribution width is adjusted on slopes, then crop distribution covers the desired area, but increased crop hits the field soil on the slope side before reaching the target width

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistribution areaVSAvoidcrop loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustable guide plates dynamically control the deflection angle of crop material, ensuring that the crop is directed precisely toward the target distribution area. This dynamic control prevents premature crop contact with the slope-side field soil by optimizing the throwing trajectory according to the slope angle and desired distribution width

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the orientation parameter of the guide plates to optimize the crop throwing trajectory. By adjusting the guide plate angle, the crop is deflected at an optimal angle that extends the throwing path uphill or redirects it downhill, ensuring the crop reaches the intended distribution area without premature contact with the slope-side soil

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution ensures a consistent distribution width and increased throwing distance on both uphill and downhill slopes, minimizing crop loss and maintaining optimal distribution efficiency even on uneven terrain.

Implementation Method 1

with which the direction of movement of the crop emerging from the distribution device can be changed at least in the vertical direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

the inclination sensor transverse to the direction of travel of the combine harvester in order to throw the crop as far uphill as the harvest is driving on the slope

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInclination sensing:

Data Source

PatentEP1862055B1Distribution device for distributing crops being discharged from a harvester
Publication Date: 2017.05.10 CLAAS SELBSTFAHRENDE ERNTEMASCHINEN GMBH
  • EP1862055B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1862055B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1862055B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The device has guidance units (33, 34) to change movement direction of a harvested crop (30) discharged from a combine harvester (1) in a vertical direction. The guidance units are adjusted depending on an inclination of field soil (32) to cause a larger throwing range by adjusting throwing parabola for the harvested crop. The guidance units exhibit a curvature pointing in the vertical direction, in a crop delivery direction, where the curvature is formed in outer regions of the guidance units. The curvature increases in a direction of the outer regions of the guidance units.