Harvester Weed Seed Control via Dynamic Working Member Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling weeds during harvesting, such as chemical application and tillage, are expensive and harmful, and existing combine harvesters struggle to efficiently manage varying weed seed densities, leading to reduced crop yield and increased weed seed dispersal.
Innovation Solution
A harvester system that automatically adjusts its working members based on real-time data from sensors and preharvest maps to optimize weed seed management, including adjusting blower settings, chopper operation, and discharge spreader velocity to accommodate changing weed conditions, thereby improving energy efficiency and throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If chemical application or tillage is used to control weeds, then weed growth is suppressed, but cost and environmental harm increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes weed seeds from the harvested grain stream using cleaning mechanisms (sieves, blowers, and separators) before the grain is stored or discharged. This physical removal method replaces chemical herbicides and tillage operations, eliminating the need for harmful substances while effectively controlling weed propagation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of weed seeds being carried in harvested grain into a benefit by using the harvesting process itself to collect and concentrate weed seeds in specific discharge locations. The grain cleaning mechanisms separate and redirect weed seeds to designated areas, transforming a contamination problem into a controlled disposal solution that reduces weed spread.
2Productivity
If working members are continuously operated at high capacity, then harvesting throughput is maximized, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of working members (cleaning shoes, blowers, choppers, and discharge spreaders) based on real-time detection of weed seed density and distribution. The system adjusts the operational intensity and activation state of each component according to actual field conditions, allowing high throughput when weed density is low while conserving energy when weed density is low or conditions favor grain flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (speed, power, activation state) of working members based on detected weed seed characteristics. Sensors detect weed seed density and type, and the control system adjusts blower pressure, chopper speed, and discharge spreader rotation accordingly, optimizing the balance between cleaning effectiveness and energy consumption.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If working members are adjusted to handle high weed seed density, then weed seed dispersal is reduced, but harvester throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the weed seed control function into multiple specialized working members operating at different stages: cleaning shoes separate weed seeds from grain flow, blowers use air currents to redirect weed seeds, choppers fragment weed seed heads, and discharge spreaders distribute cleaned material. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific aspects of weed seed management efficiently without bottlenecking the overall harvesting process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces air flow as an intermediary medium between the cleaning mechanisms and weed seeds. Blowers use controlled air currents to selectively lift and redirect weed seeds (which are lighter than grain) without requiring mechanical contact that would slow down grain processing. This intermediary approach enables effective weed seed separation while maintaining high grain throughput.
Data Source
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AI summary
A harvester may include a crop path along which crops are moved, a working member to interact with weed seeds moving along the crop path and a controller. The controller is to receive data indicating forthcoming weed seeds and is to output control signals controlling the working member based on the data.