Chopping Knife Wear Detection via Induced Voltage Frequency Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting the wear state of chopping knives in agricultural chopping devices face challenges due to high rotational speeds, leading to inadequate analysis quality with optical sensors and insufficient accuracy with induced voltage-based methods.

Innovation Solution

An inductive detection arrangement that analyzes the induced voltage signal by breaking it down into frequency components using Fourier analysis, focusing on superimposed oscillations causing signal distortion to improve wear state detection, and utilizing multiple induction sensors positioned around the chopping drum for precise monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If optical sensors are used to detect chopping blades at high rotational speeds, then detection speed is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to insufficient analysis quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational speed of chopping bladesVSAvoidanalysis quality of cutting edge
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces optical sensors with an inductive detection arrangement that uses induction sensors to detect the chopping blades. This substitution eliminates the problem of insufficient analysis quality at high rotational speeds by using a different physical detection principle (electromagnetic induction) that is not affected by the same limitations as optical methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the detection parameter from optical properties to electrical properties by measuring the voltage induced in the chopping blades. By analyzing the frequency components of this induced voltage, the system achieves precise wear detection without being constrained by the rotational speed limitations of optical sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If induced voltage-based methods are used to detect wear state, then detection simplicity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to insufficient accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection method simplicityVSAvoidwear condition assessment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the induced voltage signal into different frequency components using Fourier analysis. By separating the signal into fundamental oscillation components and superimposed oscillation components, the system can analyze specific frequency ranges that correspond to blade wear characteristics, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining the simplicity of voltage-based detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of analyzing the entire induced voltage signal, the patent focuses on specific frequency components (the superimposed oscillations) that are most relevant to wear detection. This selective analysis of partial signal components improves accuracy by concentrating on the most informative parts of the signal while filtering out irrelevant information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If multiple induction sensors are positioned around the chopping drum, then measurement precision is improved for comprehensive monitoring, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions multiple induction sensors around the chopping drum to detect multiple chopping blades simultaneously. Each sensor serves multiple functions: detecting the presence of blades, measuring their wear state, and monitoring their rotational position. This multi-functional approach improves measurement precision across all blades while minimizing the increase in device complexity through efficient sensor utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 approach provides a high-resolution and precise analysis of knife wear and sharpness, enabling timely grinding signals and optimal maintenance, thereby enhancing the operational efficiency of agricultural harvesting machines.

Implementation Method 1

the voltage induced when a chopping knife assembly passes over the sensor arrangement constitutes the magnetic measured quantity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3738427B1Cutter sharpness detection device
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 CLAAS SELBSTFAHRENDE ERNTEMASCHINEN GMBH
  • EP3738427B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3738427B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3738427B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a detection arrangement (28) for detecting a wear condition (39) of a chopping knife arrangement (9a..b) of a chopping device (6) intended for processing a material stream (5), wherein the chopping device (6) has a rotating chopping drum (7) receiving the chopping knife arrangement (9a..b) and at least one counter blade (11) that interacts with the chopping knives (8), with a sensor arrangement (23a..b) comprising a magnetic excitation arrangement (26) and a magnetically coupled flux guide device (29), wherein the sensor arrangement (23a..b) provides a pole arrangement (27) that forms at least one magnetic pole (30) with a pole surface (31) for discharging magnetic flux, wherein, during rotation of the chopping drum (7), at least a portion of the chopping knives (8) passes the pole arrangement (27), and wherein, upon sweeping over the sensor arrangement, a (23a..b) by a chopping blade arrangement (9a..b) induced voltage (38a..e) forms the magnetic measurement quantity (37) and the detection arrangement (28) determines the induced voltage (38a..e) and records it as a voltage signal (49a..e), the voltage signal (49a..e) is decomposed in the evaluation unit (36) into its frequency components (42) by means of frequency analysis (41), the frequency components (42) are separated into frequency components (42) of a fundamental oscillation (45) and into signal distortion-causing frequency components (42) of a superimposed oscillation (46), wherein the separated signal distortion-causing frequency components (42) of the superimposed oscillation (46) are back-transformed into the time domain (48) and a measure of the wear condition (39) and/or the cutting edge sharpness (65) of a is derived from the shredding blade (8).