Combine Harvester Return-Stream Imaging for Threshing Loss Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combine harvesters lack precise determination of threshing quality, leading to inefficiencies in processing losses due to unthreshed crop material.
Innovation Solution
Implement a camera system and image evaluation device with machine learning algorithms to analyze the overflow material stream, determining indicators of processing losses, and a driver assistance system to adjust working units for improved threshing quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional sensors (grain flow meter, volume flow sensor, knock sensors) are used to monitor crop losses, then processing losses can be partially detected, but threshing quality cannot be precisely determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical and acoustic sensors (grain flow meters, knock sensors, volume flow sensors) with an optical camera system and image evaluation device. This substitution enables precise visualization and analysis of overflow material stream composition, allowing accurate determination of threshing quality parameters such as unthreshed crop fractions and processing losses without the complexity of multiple mechanical sensing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy (image) of the overflow material stream using a camera system. This optical copy allows detailed analysis of the material composition, enabling precise measurement of threshing quality indicators such as unthreshed crop fractions and processing losses without directly interfering with the physical material flow or requiring complex mechanical sensors.
2Productivity
If the cleaning device processes all crop material, then grain separation is improved, but unthreshed crop material is repeatedly processed increasing energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the image evaluation device continuously monitors the overflow material stream and provides real-time information about unthreshed crop fractions to the driver assistance system. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of the cleaning device operation, allowing it to process only when necessary and reduce or stop processing when the threshing device is performing adequately, thereby optimizing energy consumption while maintaining grain separation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the cleaning device operation dynamic rather than static. The driver assistance system continuously adjusts the cleaning device parameters based on real-time image analysis of the overflow material stream. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt processing intensity to actual threshing performance, improving grain separation when needed and reducing energy consumption when threshing quality is sufficient.
3Manufacturing precision
If the threshing device operates at high intensity, then grain separation is improved, but crop material is damaged increasing processing losses
Solution Approach 1:
The image evaluation device provides continuous feedback on both grain separation quality and crop material condition in the overflow stream. The driver assistance system uses this feedback to dynamically adjust threshing device parameters, maintaining optimal separation quality while minimizing damage to crop material. This closed-loop control prevents excessive intensity that would cause damage while ensuring sufficient separation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic changing of threshing device operating parameters based on real-time image analysis. The driver assistance system adjusts parameters such as drum speed, concave clearance, and rotor speed to optimize the balance between grain separation quality and crop material integrity. This parameter optimization reduces processing losses while maintaining manufacturing precision in grain separation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a combine harvester (1) comprising a threshing device (3) and a separating device (17) as working units (62), which process crop (8) taken up by the combine harvester (1) to separate grain and transfer a crop stream containing substantially the grain to a cleaning device (4) as a further working unit (62), wherein the cleaning device (4) feeds a return stream (34) containing unthreshed crop to the threshing device (3) for re-threshing by means of a return device (25) and feeds a cleaned crop stream (35) to a grain tank (5) by means of a conveying device (23), wherein the combine harvester (1) comprises a camera system for recording images (50) of the return stream (34) and an image evaluation device (41) for evaluating the images (50) as well as a driver assistance system (36) for controlling the working units (62).wherein the image evaluation device (41) is configured to analyze the images (50) of the waste stream (34) to determine indicators for processing losses caused by at least one of the working units (62) and to transmit them to the driver assistance system (17), which takes the indicators into account when controlling at least one of the working units (62).