Haymaking Machine Conveyor Speed Control for Lateral Overload
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Solution Overview
Problem
In agricultural machinery with multiple conveyors, when conveyors are placed in a lateral configuration, the downstream conveyor becomes overloaded, leading to increased risks of product loss and stuffing, which can cause irregular operation and downtime.
Innovation Solution
The speed of at least one conveyor is adjusted automatically when conveyors are in a lateral configuration, ensuring the downstream conveyor operates at a higher speed than the upstream conveyors, thereby improving product distribution and reducing the risk of overload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the downstream conveyor operates at the same speed as upstream conveyors in lateral configuration, then the machine structure is simple, but the downstream conveyor becomes overloaded causing product loss and blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the conveyor system adaptable through variable speed operation. The downstream conveyor can dynamically adjust its speed relative to upstream conveyors based on operational configuration. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to be simple in central configuration (all conveyors at same speed) while becoming more complex and reliable in lateral configuration (downstream conveyor at higher speed), thus adapting to different operational needs rather than being permanently simple or complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the speed parameter of the downstream conveyor to resolve the overload problem. By increasing the speed parameter of the downstream conveyor above that of upstream conveyors when in lateral configuration, the system prevents product accumulation and blockages. This parameter change allows the downstream conveyor to process product faster, maintaining reliability without requiring permanent system complexity.
2Productivity
If the downstream conveyor operates at higher speed to prevent overload, then product distribution improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts conveyor speeds based on operational configuration. In lateral configuration, the downstream conveyor operates at higher speed to improve productivity and prevent overload. In central configuration, all conveyors operate at the same speed, simplifying the system. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making complexity conditional rather than permanent.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed to be universal, handling both central and lateral configurations through a single automated mechanism. The same speed control system serves multiple functions: maintaining equal speeds in central configuration and creating speed differential in lateral configuration. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by achieving improved productivity through a versatile system rather than requiring separate mechanisms for each configuration.
3Ease of operation
If all conveyors operate at the same speed, then the control system is simple, but the downstream conveyor risks blockages and work stoppage
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static equal-speed operation to dynamic variable-speed operation based on configuration. The downstream conveyor's speed is dynamically adjusted to be higher than upstream conveyors in lateral configuration, preventing blockages while maintaining ease of operation through automated control. This resolves the contradiction by making the speed relationship adaptive rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated speed adjustment system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor conveyor configuration and product flow conditions. When detecting lateral configuration, the system automatically increases downstream conveyor speed to prevent overload and ensure continuous operation. This feedback-based approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining simple operation through automation while ensuring reliability through responsive speed adjustment.
Data Source
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AI summary
A haymaking machine comprising two conveyors, each configured to move a product in a transverse direction of travel, in either a first or second direction of travel, and to be driven at a respective speed. At least one conveyor can be moved substantially along the direction of travel, so that the conveyors can be placed in at least one lateral configuration, in which the product is deposited by a downstream conveyor, and in a central configuration. When the conveyors are placed in the lateral configuration, the speed of at least one of the conveyors is automatically adjusted so that the speed of the downstream conveyor is greater than that of the other conveyor(s).