Combine Harvester Display Unit Historical Curve Visualization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current combine harvester display systems provide low information density, making it difficult for operators to quickly reach an optimal operating point and recognize deteriorations in machine efficiency due to changing crop properties, requiring extensive knowledge of parameter dependencies and iterative adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A display unit that visualizes crop flow signals in a historical characteristic curve representation, allowing operators to quickly identify optimal operating conditions and recognize efficiency deteriorations by displaying dependencies between crop and machine parameters, with features like customizable time intervals, data point averaging, and warning signals for relative loss limits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If numerical display of harvested crop parameters and machine parameters is used, then the operator receives continuous information about working quality, but the information density is low and the display is confusing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation densityVSAvoiddisplay clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the display from a one-dimensional numerical representation to a two-dimensional graphical interface where the vertical axis represents time (historical data) and the horizontal axis represents parameter values. This dimensional transformation allows multiple parameters to be visualized simultaneously with higher information density while maintaining clarity through intuitive graphical patterns and trends.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If iterative adjustment of parameters is used, then the operator can approach optimal machine setting, but it takes longer especially for inexperienced operators

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed to optimal settingVSAvoidoperator skill requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous feedback by displaying real-time parameter changes and their effects on harvested crop parameters in a graphical format. The historical view shows how parameter adjustments correlate with performance changes, enabling operators to quickly identify optimal settings without extensive iterative trial-and-error, thus reducing the skill barrier and accelerating optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The display pre-calculates and presents the relationships between machine parameters and harvested crop parameters, allowing operators to see potential outcomes before making adjustments. This preliminary visualization of parameter dependencies guides operators directly toward optimal settings rather than requiring them to discover relationships through repeated adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If instantaneous display mode is used, then the operator sees current working quality, but recognition of changing harvested crop conditions and their influence on working result deterioration is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection of efficiency deteriorationVSAvoidresponse time to conditions change
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By adding the time dimension to the display, the system enables operators to observe trends and patterns in harvested crop conditions over time. The graphical representation shows how parameters evolve, allowing early detection of deteriorating conditions before they significantly impact working results, thus improving reliability while reducing response time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP1900272B1Agricltural working machine
Publication Date: 2011.12.28 CLAAS SELBSTFAHRENDE ERNTEMASCHINEN GMBH
  • EP1900272B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1900272B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1900272B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The display unit (26) has a display panel with a co-ordination system, where grain loss is represented in the panel. A grain sensor (33) and grain loss sensors (35, 36) are provided in an agricultural working machine (1) i.e. combine harvester (2) to detect a harvest flow such as harvest throughput (32), and a machine parameter (40). The sensors transmit a harvest flow signal and a machine parameter signal (Y) to an evaluation unit (29). The unit (29) is in connection with the unit (26). The unit (26) visualizes selection of the harvest flow signal in historical representation.