Harvester Residue Spreader With Pivoting Deflectors and Local Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing residue spreader systems for agricultural harvesters require expensive and technically complex sensor configurations to monitor and control the distribution of crop residue across a wide deposition area, making them costly and challenging to implement.
Innovation Solution
A spreader system with pivotable deflector blades and integrated sensing arrangements, including radar sensors or beamforming sensors, to monitor local spreading patterns and adjust ejection directions, allowing for efficient distribution without the need for complex, full-width sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If expensive high-quality sensors are used to monitor the full width of the deposition area, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monitoring task into multiple segments by using multiple lower-cost sensors positioned at different locations (e.g., left and right sides of the spreader) to monitor different portions of the deposition area. Each sensor covers a specific zone, and together they provide comprehensive monitoring of the entire width, replacing the need for a single complex full-width sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines data from multiple simple sensors to achieve the monitoring capability that would otherwise require a single complex sensor. By merging the information from several low-cost sensors positioned strategically, the system achieves accurate monitoring of the full deposition area width while maintaining simplicity and reducing overall system cost.
2Device complexity
If multiple low-cost sensors are used to cover the full deposition area width, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning sensors to monitor specific local zones of the deposition area with high precision. Each sensor is optimized for its local monitoring task, and the combination of these localized measurements provides accurate overall monitoring. The system focuses measurement capability where it is most needed in each local region rather than attempting uniform coverage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If deflector blades are pivoted to adjust ejection directions, then adaptability of residue distribution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the deflector blades pivotable rather than fixed, allowing them to change position and adjust the ejection direction of crop residue. The blades can be rotated about a pivot axis to redirect material flow, enabling the system to adapt to different field conditions, deposition area widths, and residue distribution requirements while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure.
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
Enables effective monitoring and control of residue distribution across a wide area using less complex and cost-effective sensor configurations, optimizing distribution patterns in response to environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
sensors applied for this purpose include radar and/or sonar transmitter/receiver systems, configured to transmit electromagnetic or sound waves into a cloud of ejected particles and to detect waves reflected off the particles
Implementation Method 2
sensors applied for this purpose include radar and/or sonar transmitter/receiver systems, configured to transmit electromagnetic or sound waves into a cloud of ejected particles and to detect waves reflected off the particles
Implementation Method 3
a deflector mechanism comprising curved deflector blades for distributing the residue particles ejected by the rotors across a wide deposition area behind the advancing combine
Data Source
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AI summary
The spreader system comprises two spreader rotors (10) configured to rotate about upright rotation axes (13) and to eject residue crop material centrally between the spreader rotors in a direction tangential to said spreader rotors. The spreader system further comprises a deflector configuration including a first and second curved deflector blade (20) arranged to deflect crops ejected respectively by the first and second rotor, into respective first and second ejection directions. The deflector blades are pivotable about upright pivot axes, to thereby adjust said ejection directions. The spreader system further comprises a sensing arrangement configured to sense local spreading patterns in a first and second adjustable sensing direction (26), measure the angular positions of the deflector blades (20) by suitable measuring devices (27), and adjust said first and second sensing directions so as to correspond to said first and second ejection directions of the crop residue. The sensing arrangement further comprises a control unit (28) configured to receive signals representative of the local spreading patterns and of the angular positions.