Harvester Fan Speed Control via Crop Mass Flow Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current harvesters operate with constant engine and fan speeds regardless of crop yield, leading to inefficient energy use and potential reduction in harvesting efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A control system that adjusts fan speed based on crop mass flow feedback signals, automatically lowering speed during lower crop mass flow and raising speed during higher mass flow, utilizing a crop mass flow feedback device and controller in communication with a power module to optimize fan operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If constant fan speed is maintained regardless of crop mass flow, then fan is always ready to transfer crop, but energy consumption increases unnecessarily during low yield periods
Solution Approach 1:
The fan speed is made dynamic rather than static. The controller continuously adjusts fan speed based on real-time crop mass flow feedback, allowing the system to adapt to varying yield conditions. During high mass flow, fan speed increases to match demand; during low mass flow, fan speed decreases to reduce energy consumption, resolving the contradiction between maintaining readiness and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
A feedback control loop is implemented where a sensor measures actual crop mass flow and provides feedback to the controller. The controller compares the measured mass flow with the fan speed and adjusts the fan speed accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system enables the fan to respond automatically to changing harvest conditions, optimizing both productivity and energy use.
2Use of energy by moving object
If fan speed is reduced during low crop mass flow, then energy consumption decreases, but crop transfer capability may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback mechanism ensures that fan speed is not reduced below what is necessary for adequate crop transfer. The sensor continuously monitors crop mass flow, and when mass flow increases, the controller automatically increases fan speed to maintain transfer capability. This prevents the fan from being under-powered during high yield periods while still allowing energy savings during low yield periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically balances energy consumption with transfer capability by continuously adjusting fan speed to match actual crop flow conditions. The fan operates at minimum necessary speed during low flow to save energy, and automatically ramps up during high flow to maintain transfer capability, resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and transfer adequacy.
3Power
If constant engine speed is used, then power availability is stable, but harvesting efficiency decreases during variable yield conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The engine speed is made dynamic through controller adjustment based on crop mass flow feedback. During high yield periods, the controller increases engine speed to provide adequate power for high-volume crop transfer. During low yield periods, the controller reduces engine speed to match lower power demands, improving harvesting efficiency by preventing power waste during low flow conditions while maintaining stable power availability when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A harvester having a harvesting structure for harvesting crop and a crop receptacle for receiving harvested crop. The harvester comprises a crop conveying fan configured to operate at a fan speed to facilitate transfer of harvested crop from the harvesting structure to the crop receptacle. A control system for controlling the fan speed based on crop mass flow comprises a crop mass flow feedback device that provides a crop mass flow feedback signal indicative of crop mass flow. A controller is in communication with the crop mass flow feedback device and is configured to automatically lower the fan speed when the crop mass flow feedback signal indicates a lower crop mass flow and automatically raise the fan speed when the crop mass flow feedback signal indicates a higher crop mass flow.