Agricultural Harvester Prognosis Device for Harvest Target Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Operators of agricultural harvesting machines face challenges in accurately setting parameters to achieve desired harvest targets due to complex relationships with other vehicles in the harvesting process chain, leading to inefficiencies and a lack of reliable prognosis for crop compaction.

Innovation Solution

A storage and evaluation device provides a reliable forecast of achievable harvest targets by comparing current operating and crop parameters with expert-defined criteria, allowing for real-time adjustments to ensure desired compaction levels in the silo.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the operator relies on experience to set operating parameters, then the operator can make adjustments based on intuition, but the accuracy of achieving the desired harvest target is insufficient due to complex relationships with other vehicles in the harvesting process chain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of harvest target achievementVSAvoidcomplexity of harvesting process chain relationships
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A prognosis device is introduced as an intermediary between the operator and the complex harvesting process chain. This device calculates and displays prognoses about the achievability of harvest targets, mediating the complex relationships between multiple vehicles and parameters into comprehensible information for the operator, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring the operator to directly manage the complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the operator's intuitive experience-based decision-making with a computational prognosis system. The prognosis device uses algorithms to calculate harvest target achievability based on current operating parameters and crop conditions, substituting mechanical human judgment with an automated computational system that can process complex relationships more accurately

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the operator uses trial-and-error methods to optimize operating parameters, then the operator can eventually achieve desired results, but a very large amount of time is required due to time delays between harvesting starts and work result recordings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of harvest target achievementVSAvoidtime required for parameter optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The prognosis device performs preliminary calculations about harvest target achievability before the operator commits to specific operating parameters. By providing advance prognoses based on current conditions and parameter settings, the system allows the operator to make informed decisions upfront, eliminating the need for time-consuming trial-and-error cycles and reducing the time loss associated with delayed feedback

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the prognosis device continuously monitors operating parameters and crop conditions, then provides real-time feedback about harvest target achievability. This immediate feedback loop allows the operator to adjust parameters based on prognostic information rather than waiting for delayed work result recordings, significantly reducing optimization time while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If large capacity neural network models are used to determine harvester settings, then the model can provide comprehensive predictions, but prohibitive computational effort is required which limits practical use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of harvest parameter predictionVSAvoidcomputational effort required
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential calculations and prognostic functions needed for harvest target assessment, separating them from the complex full-scale neural network models. By implementing a dedicated prognosis device that performs only the necessary computations for harvest achievability based on specific operating parameters and crop conditions, the system achieves adequate prediction accuracy with significantly reduced computational effort and energy consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2132974B1Agricultural harvester
Publication Date: 2012.07.18 CLAAS SELBSTFAHRENDE ERNTEMASCHINEN GMBH
  • EP2132974B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2132974B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2132974B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The agricultural harvesting machine (2) has different working elements, an input and display unit (23), a memory and evaluation unit (28), and a control unit (24) for influencing adjustable operating parameters of the working elements. A reference criterion is stored in the memory and evaluation unit in a retrieval manner. The prognosis during the adjustment of the operating parameters is provided.