Harvester Crop Transfer Control for Uniform Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current agricultural crop transfer systems require significant driver effort and attention to ensure uniform loading of transport vehicles, as existing technologies either lack automation or require costly sensors, and do not adapt to vehicle type or terrain conditions effectively.

Innovation Solution

A control arrangement that automatically adjusts the discharging device and transport vehicle position based on a predetermined loading strategy, considering vehicle type, terrain, and load distribution, using position determining devices and actuators to optimize crop transfer without manual monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual control of the discharging device position is used, then the driver can adjust the loading process, but the driver's attention is significantly occupied and work becomes tiring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver workloadVSAvoidautomatic loading control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service automation where the control unit automatically manages the discharging device positioning and transport vehicle coordination without requiring continuous driver intervention. The driver simply initiates the loading process while the system handles the complex coordination autonomously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical control of the discharging device is replaced by an automated control system that uses sensors, position determining devices, and actuators to mechanically adjust the discharging device position and orientation automatically during the loading process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If no automation is used for discharging device adjustment, then the system is simple, but the driver must manually ensure uniform loading which is demanding and tiring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidmanual loading monitoring

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit serves multiple functions: it coordinates the discharging device positioning, monitors transport vehicle position, manages loading strategy, and controls actuators. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single integrated control unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback loops where sensors continuously monitor the position of the discharging device and transport vehicle, and this information is fed back to the control unit which automatically adjusts the positioning to maintain optimal loading conditions throughout the process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If fixed discharging device position is used, then the device structure is simple, but the loading container must be manually positioned which is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarging device adjustabilityVSAvoidloading time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The discharging device transitions from a fixed static position to a dynamic adjustable position. The device can be automatically repositioned during the loading process to accommodate different loading stages and transport vehicle positions, significantly reducing loading time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit pre-calculates and pre-positions the discharging device for upcoming loading phases based on the predetermined loading strategy and transport vehicle position, allowing the device to be ready before actually needed rather than reacting after delays occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Device complexity

If the discharging device range of movement is limited, then the device structure is simpler, but insufficient regions of the loading container cannot be reached

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarging device movement rangeVSAvoidloading uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the capabilities of the discharging device with the transport vehicle's own positioning capabilities. By coordinating the vehicle's movement with the discharging device's adjusted range, the effective coverage area is expanded beyond what either system could achieve alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9301447B2Control arrangement for controlling the transfer of agricultural crop from a harvesting machine to a transport vehicle

Publication Date: 2016.04.05 DEERE & CO

AI summary

A control arrangement and method for controlling the transfer of agricultural crop from a harvesting machine to a transport vehicle comprises a loading container. The control arrangement is able to be operated to automatically deposit the crop during the harvesting mode successively at different points in the loading container, following a predetermined loading strategy, by means of a discharging device of the harvesting machine, where the loading strategy may be changed and/or a choice may be made between different loading strategies.