Combine Harvester Sensor Assembly Aerodynamic Profile

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensor assemblies for combine harvesters require extensive mounting efforts, generate undesired eddies, and are prone to damage due to their large and separate housings, which complicates installation and affects the screen's aerodynamics.

Innovation Solution

A sensor assembly with sensor units arranged one behind the other within a streamlined hollow profile that extends in the longitudinal direction of the screen, minimizing eddies and providing protected attachment, while allowing for detection of material flow and air flow parameters, and integrating with a control system to adjust blower speed and screen aperture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If sensor units are arranged in separate housings underneath the screen, then grain distribution detection is achieved, but mounting complexity and mounting expenditure increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrain distribution detectionVSAvoidmounting complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple sensor units are integrated into a single hollow profile structure, combining what would otherwise be separate housings into one unified mounting component. This reduces the number of individual mounting operations and simplifies installation while maintaining the matrix arrangement of sensors for grain distribution detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hollow profile serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a protective housing, a mounting structure, and an aerodynamic fairing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mounting brackets and reduces overall structural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If multiple separate housings are used for sensor units, then comprehensive parameter detection is enabled, but eddies are generated and aerodynamics are negatively affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparameter detection capabilityVSAvoideddy generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hollow profile is designed with streamlined, curved surfaces that guide airflow smoothly over the sensor assembly. This aerodynamic shaping eliminates sharp edges and protrusions that would otherwise generate eddies, while the profile still accommodates multiple sensor units for comprehensive parameter detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of operation

If sensor housings project downward from the screen, then sensor installation is simplified, but the housings become prone to damage during screen installation and removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor installationVSAvoiddamage resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor units are nested within the hollow profile structure, which itself is attached to the screen. This nested arrangement protects the sensors during screen handling while maintaining easy access for installation and maintenance through the integrated design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Reliability

If a large number of separate fastening devices are used, then secure sensor attachment is achieved, but mounting time and labor expenditure increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor attachment securityVSAvoidmounting time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple fastening functions are combined into a single hollow profile attachment system. Instead of requiring separate fasteners for each sensor housing, the integrated profile can be secured to the screen in one operation, significantly reducing mounting time while maintaining secure attachment of all sensor units

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution reduces mounting complexity, minimizes eddy generation, and enhances aerodynamics, enabling efficient detection and control of operating parameters with reduced risk of damage, thereby improving the overall performance and reliability of the combine harvester's cleaning process.

Implementation Method 1

photoelectric barriers which are arranged in the form of a matrix underneath a screen and which detect grains falling through between them

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

sensor units which detect, on the one hand, parameters (flow rate and pressure) of the air which flows past

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure detection:

Data Source

PatentUS10785910B2Sensor assembly for a combine harvester screen

Publication Date: 2020.09.29 DEERE & CO

AI summary

A sensor assembly for attachment underneath a screen of a combine harvester is provided with a plurality of sensor units having sensor elements, a plurality of which sensor units are arranged one behind the other within a hollow profile which extends in the longitudinal direction of the screen.