Combine Harvester Residual Grain Distributor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combine harvesters face challenges in achieving an even distribution of residual goods across the field due to variations in the throwing range and moisture content of the residual goods, leading to uneven distribution patterns.
Innovation Solution
A combine harvester design that includes a separator to divide the harvesting current into a threshed and residual power current, a distributor with adjustable areas to evenly spread the residual power current, and a control unit that uses sensors to adjust the guide element to achieve a desired distribution pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rotor or fan is used to accelerate residue in the opposite direction of travel, then the residue is spread across the field, but the throwing distance varies depending on the type and moisture content of the residue, causing uneven distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pendulum distributor that oscillates back and forth to dynamically adjust the residue discharge direction. This dynamic mechanism compensates for variations in throwing distance caused by different residue types and moisture contents, ensuring more uniform distribution across the field width regardless of material properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that detect the actual distribution of residual crop flow and provide feedback to a control device. The control device adjusts the pendulum distributor's operation based on this feedback, enabling closed-loop control to achieve desired distribution patterns and correct for variations in throwing distance.
2Ease of operation
If a pendulum distributor is used to deliver a tightly focused stream of residual material, then the residue is deposited along a serpentine line, but the amplitude of the serpentine line varies with variable throw distance
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors detect the actual distribution of residual crop flow and provide feedback to a control device that adjusts the pendulum distributor operation. This closed-loop control maintains consistent serpentine line amplitude by compensating for variations in throw distance caused by different residue properties.
3Measurement precision
If sensors are arranged to detect residual crop flow strength, then the distribution can be monitored, but the sensors must be precisely positioned to accurately detect the portion of crop flow allocated to each discharge device
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor arrangement is segmented into multiple detection zones across the width of the distributor. Each sensor or sensor group is positioned to detect residue flow in specific regions, allowing the system to monitor distribution patterns without requiring a single complex sensor to measure the entire flow.
Data Source
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AI summary
A combine harvester (1) comprises a separator (7) for a residual crop stream, a distributor (10) for ejecting the residual crop stream from the combine harvester (1), wherein a boundary (P) extending transversely to its width direction defines a first and a second area of the distributor (10), a crop guide element (16) arranged at an outlet of the separator (7), which is adjustable between positions that each cause different distributions of the residual crop stream to the first and second areas, sensors (32) for detecting the strength of an adjacent portion of the residual crop stream and for supplying an output signal representative of the strength of the portion, wherein a first group of several sensors (32) is arranged in the first area of the distributor (11) and a second group of sensors is arranged in the second area, and a control unit (35) for generating signals proportional to the strength of the first and second parts of the residual crop stream.for comparing the ratio of the proportional signals with a target ratio and for adjusting the good guide element (16) in the event of a deviation between the ratio of the signals proportional to the first and second part and the target ratio.