Harvester Crop Transfer Control Unit Dynamics

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for transferring crop material from harvesting machines to transport vehicles often require excessive energy, especially when the transport vehicle is driven behind the harvester, as the crop material needs to be accelerated to high speeds over long distances, leading to energy inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

A control unit that adjusts the acceleration of crop material based on the transfer distance, using a post-accelerating device and considering parameters like transfer distance, crop material properties, and harvesting conditions, to optimize energy usage by reducing unnecessary acceleration when the transport vehicle is close by.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the crop material is always accelerated to high speed to ensure long-distance transfer, then the transfer reliability is improved, but the energy consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the acceleration level variable rather than fixed. The control unit adjusts the acceleration of crop material dynamically based on real-time detection of the transport vehicle's position. When the vehicle is far away, high acceleration ensures reliable transfer; when the vehicle is close, reduced acceleration saves energy. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between transfer reliability and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the acceleration parameter based on transfer distance conditions. The control unit modifies the acceleration level (a key parameter) according to the detected position of the transport vehicle. By changing this parameter dynamically, the system achieves both reliable transfer when needed and energy efficiency when the vehicle is nearby, resolving the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Length of moving object

If the transport vehicle is driven behind the harvesting machine, then the transfer distance increases, but the energy expenditure for acceleration increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer distanceVSAvoidenergy expenditure

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses feedback from position detection to control acceleration. The control unit receives feedback about the transport vehicle's position and adjusts acceleration accordingly. When the vehicle is driven behind at a distance, the system detects this and provides appropriate acceleration to ensure transfer reliability. When the vehicle is close, the feedback mechanism reduces acceleration, preventing excessive energy expenditure while maintaining adequate transfer distance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If the crop material is accelerated to high speed over long distances, then the transfer accuracy is improved, but the energy loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer accuracyVSAvoidenergy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the acceleration level variable rather than fixed. The control unit adjusts the acceleration of crop material dynamically based on real-time detection of the transport vehicle's position. When the vehicle is far away, high acceleration ensures reliable transfer; when the vehicle is close, reduced acceleration saves energy. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between transfer reliability and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the acceleration parameter based on transfer distance conditions. The control unit modifies the acceleration level (a key parameter) according to the detected position of the transport vehicle. By changing this parameter dynamically, the system achieves both reliable transfer when needed and energy efficiency when the vehicle is nearby, resolving the technical contradiction.

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

This approach significantly reduces energy expenditure during harvesting by controlling the acceleration of crop material as a function of transfer distance, ensuring efficient transfer with minimal energy loss, particularly when the transport vehicle is driven next to the harvesting machine.

Implementation Method 1

a post-accelerating device (9) located in the entrance to the conveyor chute (7) or directly in front of the conveyor chute (7)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS7798894B2Method for transferring crop material

Publication Date: 2010.09.21 CLAAS SELBSTFAHRENDE ERNTEMASCHINEN GMBH

AI summary

In a method for transferring crop material from a harvesting machine to a hauling vehicle, with which the crop material is accelerated and ejected through a conveyor chute of a transfer device to a target point on the transport vehicle, the acceleration of the crop material to be transferred is controlled as a function of at least one parameter that represents a transfer distance. A corresponding control unit for a harvesting machine and a harvesting machine with a control unit of this type is also provided.