Harvesting Machine Fluid Container with Nested Additive Vessel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing harvesting machines face challenges with the limited lifespan of silage additives due to improper storage, requiring separate dosing systems for ULV agents which increase complexity and space requirements, and are susceptible to excessive heating from solar radiation and engine waste heat.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a closable opening in the container to allow for additional fluid containers that can be filled with ULV silage agents or other additives, enabling mixing and cooling while preventing contamination, with a fill level sensor and connection to the feed system for needs-based mixing and efficient use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a separate dosing system is used for ULV silage agents, then the dosing capability is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedosing capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the ULV silage agent container with the main water container, merging two separate dosing systems into one integrated container structure. This allows both diluted silage agents and ULV agents to be stored and dosed through a unified system, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining full dosing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated container serves multiple functions: it stores both water and ULV silage agents, provides cooling for the ULV agent, and connects to the feed system for dosing. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated containers and dosing systems for different agent types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If the container is exposed to solar radiation and waste heat, then the harvesting operation continues, but the temperature of the silage agent increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharvesting operationVSAvoidsilage agent temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful waste heat from the engine and solar radiation into a beneficial cooling mechanism. By placing the ULV silage agent container inside the larger water container, the cold water surrounding the ULV container absorbs excess heat, effectively using the thermal mass of the water to cool the temperature-sensitive silage agent during harvesting operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the silage agent is stored in the container for extended periods, then the harvesting flexibility is improved, but the microorganisms in the silage agent die due to heating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharvesting flexibilityVSAvoidmicroorganism viability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful thermal environment into a beneficial cooling system by using the water container as a thermal buffer. The water surrounding the ULV silage agent container absorbs heat from solar radiation and engine waste heat, maintaining a cooler temperature that preserves microorganism viability during extended storage periods while harvesting operations continue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Temperature

If additional container is introduced into the container, then the cooling effect is improved, but the container space is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling effectVSAvoidcontainer space

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested container configuration where the smaller ULV silage agent container is placed inside the larger water container. This nesting arrangement allows the water to surround and cool the ULV agent while utilizing the vertical and radial space efficiently, minimizing the overall volume occupied while maximizing the cooling surface area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 solution extends the usability of silage additives by maintaining a consistent temperature, reducing waste, and simplifying the dosing process through integrated sensors and adjustable mixing ratios, enhancing the efficiency and space utilization of the harvesting machine.

Implementation Method 1

the fluid in the container serves to cool the fluid in the at least one additional container. The temperature of the fluid in the at least one additional container is kept largely constant, since the heating of the fluid surrounding the at least one additional container occurs more slowly in the much larger container due to waste heat or solar radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2810550B1Harvesting machine for receiving harvested goods

Publication Date: 2016.03.09 CLAAS SELBSTFAHRENDE ERNTEMASCHINEN GMBH

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a harvesting machine (1) for receiving crops (20), with a container (21) having a closable filling nozzle (25) for receiving a fluid (11, 12), which can be supplied to the crops (20) received by the harvesting machine (1) by means of a supply system, wherein the container (21) has at least one further closable opening (27) through which at least one additional container (22) fillable with a fluid (11, 12) can be inserted into the container (21), the contents of which can be mixed with the fluid (11, 12) in the container (21).