Combine Harvester Grain Yield Measurement via Discharge Load Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current combine harvesters face challenges in accurately measuring grain yield, particularly during travel, due to shaking and variations in grain flow, which affects the reliability of grain density and conveyance measurements, and existing methods may introduce errors in yield calculation and distribution analysis.
Innovation Solution
A combine harvester equipped with a threshing apparatus, grain tank, grain conveyance mechanism, load detector, and yield evaluator that uses a pressed portion subjected to a pressing force to detect the amount of conveyed grain, along with a grain discharge apparatus and rotation angle sensor to evaluate grain yield per unit of travel distance, enabling accurate and continuous measurement of grain yield.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If grain density is measured in the free-fall trajectory area, then measurement can be conducted during travel, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to shaking and grain flow variations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the measurement function from the free-fall trajectory area and relocates it to the grain discharge opening area. By placing the detection sensor at the grain discharge opening where grains are actively discharged by the rotary blade, the system achieves stable measurement conditions during travel, resolving the contradiction between continuous measurement capability and measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces the rotary blade as an intermediary mechanism that actively discharges grains through a grain discharge opening. This intermediary creates a controlled grain flow environment that enables accurate sensing at the discharge opening, allowing continuous measurement during travel while maintaining high accuracy through the mediating action of the rotary blade.
2Productivity
If yield measurement is performed while the combine harvester is traveling, then productivity increases, but measurement reliability deteriorates due to shaking
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces traditional weight-based measurement systems with a sensing system that detects grain discharge characteristics. By using sensors to detect the presence and flow of grains at the discharge opening during travel, the system achieves reliable yield measurement without requiring the combine harvester to be stationary, thus maintaining both productivity and reliability.
3Measurement precision
If grain yield distribution in minute parcels is required, then measurement resolution must increase, but existing methods cannot provide sufficient resolution due to wide area averaging
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the field into minute parcels by correlating the continuous yield measurement data with GPS position information. The sensing system measures yield at the discharge opening with high resolution, and this data is divided into small spatial units based on the combine harvester's travel path and reaping width, enabling detailed yield distribution analysis across the entire field area.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds the spatial dimension by integrating GPS position data with yield measurement data. This allows the system to map yield values to specific locations and minute parcels across the field, transforming one-dimensional continuous measurement into two-dimensional spatial distribution information with high resolution.
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
This configuration allows for precise and continuous detection of grain yield, reducing measurement errors and providing accurate grain yield information, including distribution analysis across minute parcels, enhancing agricultural planning and data accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a pressed portion that is subjected to a pressing force applied by grains in a conveyance path in the grain conveyance mechanism; a load detector for detecting the pressing force exerted on the pressed portion
Implementation Method 2
rotation angle sensor to evaluate grain yield per unit of travel distance
Data Source
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AI summary
A combine harvester includes: a grain conveyance mechanism for conveying grains from a threshing apparatus to a grain tank; a grain discharge apparatus provided in an end area of the grain conveyance mechanism, the grain discharge apparatus having a discharge case provided with a grain discharge opening, and a discharge rotor rotatably arranged in the discharge case; a pressed portion that is subjected to a pressing force applied by grains immediately before the grains are discharged by the discharge rotor; a load detector for detecting the pressing force exerted on the pressed portion; and a yield evaluator for evaluating the amount of conveyed grain based on a detection signal from the load detector.