Combine Harvester Distribution Device for Uniform Spreading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current combine harvesters face challenges in achieving accurate and even distribution of non-grain components across the working width, particularly due to external influences like crosswinds and cornering, which lead to uneven spreading patterns and material accumulation.
Innovation Solution
The distribution units are spaced apart by the width of the combine harvester, with adjustable diffuser plates controlled by a control device using spreading maps, allowing for precise adjustment of the overlap and distribution width to compensate for external influences and maintain a uniform spreading pattern. Additionally, optical sensors and actuators are used to analyze and adapt the spreading pattern in real-time, ensuring even distribution across the field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If distribution units are positioned close together to cover the working width, then the distribution width is sufficient, but the distribution uniformity deteriorates due to material accumulation in the overlap area
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution device is divided into multiple independently controllable distribution units (at least two), each capable of being controlled separately by the control device. This segmentation allows individual adjustment of each distribution unit's discharge characteristics, enabling the system to maintain sufficient overall coverage while preventing material accumulation in overlap zones through independent control of each unit's discharge pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution units are designed with dynamic control capabilities, where the control device can adjust the discharge characteristics of each distribution unit in real-time based on operating conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to varying speeds, cornering conditions, and external influences like crosswinds, maintaining uniform distribution across the working width without material accumulation.
2Manufacturing precision
If the distribution center is positioned on the longitudinal axis for uniform distribution, then the spreading pattern is centered, but accuracy deteriorates during cornering due to rear wheel steering swinging the center outward
Solution Approach 1:
The control device dynamically adjusts the discharge characteristics of the distribution units based on detected operating conditions including cornering status. During cornering, the system can shift the effective distribution center laterally by adjusting individual distribution units, compensating for the swinging effect of rear wheel steering and maintaining accurate spreading pattern placement throughout the turn.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates detection means that monitor operating conditions such as vehicle position, speed, and steering angle. This feedback is processed by the control device, which then adjusts the distribution units accordingly. During cornering, the feedback mechanism detects the swinging of the distribution center and the control device compensates by adjusting the discharge patterns of individual units to maintain the desired spreading accuracy.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If distribution units rotate at different speeds to compensate for crosswinds or slopes, then external influences are compensated, but distribution uniformity deteriorates due to varying speed difference affecting the distribution center position
Solution Approach 1:
Each distribution unit is independently controllable, allowing the system to compensate for external influences like crosswinds and slopes by adjusting individual units rather than relying on speed differences between units. The control device can modify the discharge characteristics of specific units affected by external forces while maintaining consistent rotation speeds, thus preventing material accumulation caused by speed variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device can change operational parameters of each distribution unit independently, such as discharge angle, discharge timing, or individual unit activation, to compensate for external influences. This allows compensation for crosswinds and slopes without relying on rotational speed differences, thereby maintaining distribution uniformity while counteracting external forces.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a combine harvester (1) with a distribution device (4) for spreading non-grain components on a field, comprising at least two rotatably driven distribution units (14, 15) which are spaced apart from each other at the rear of the combine harvester (1) and each have a housing (19) that circumferentially surrounds the respective distribution unit (14, 15) in sections, which has an inlet opening and an outlet opening, and at least one spreading plate (16, 17) which is pivotable about a vertical axis in the circumferential direction of the distribution unit (14, 15) and which varies the opening width and the position of the outlet opening, wherein the distribution units are spaced apart from each other at least by the width of the combine harvester (1) such that the at least one guide plate (16, 17) of the respective distribution unit (14, 15) can be controlled by means of a control device (40) based on a spreading characteristic map. is,which can be generated by the control device (40) depending on the working width (VB) of a header (2, 3) coupled to the combine harvester (1) and at least one further parameter, so that an offset of the distribution width with respect to the longitudinal axis (ML) of the combine harvester (1) can be set, which corresponds to approximately half the width of the combine harvester (1) for each distribution unit (14, 15).