Mobile Uprooting Units for Beet Harvesting Energy Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing root crop harvesting devices are not energy efficient and require improvements to enhance the harvesting process, particularly in terms of speed and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The harvesting device features mobile uprooting units that can transition between active and inactive positions, with independent movement using hydraulic cylinders and control systems based on crop detection, allowing only necessary units to engage with the soil, reducing energy consumption and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If all uprooting units remain in active position continuously, then harvesting coverage is maximized, but energy consumption increases and wear on uprooting elements accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The uprooting units are designed to be mobile between active and inactive positions, allowing the system to dynamically adjust the number of engaged uprooting elements based on real-time detection of crop presence, thereby reducing energy consumption when full harvesting capacity is not needed
Solution Approach 2:
A detection unit detects the presence or absence of root crop in front of each uprooting unit and provides feedback to control means, which automatically positions uprooting units in active or inactive states accordingly, optimizing energy usage based on actual harvesting needs
2Productivity
If all uprooting units operate continuously, then harvesting speed is maintained, but wear on uprooting elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses feedback from detection units to manage the operational status of each uprooting unit, reducing unnecessary wear by keeping uprooting elements in inactive position when crop is not detected, while maintaining harvesting speed when crop is present
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows uprooting units to be temporarily 'discarded' from active operation (moved to inactive position) when not needed, and recovered (moved back to active position) when needed, thereby reducing cumulative wear on individual elements
3Use of energy by moving object
If uprooting units are made mobile between active and inactive positions, then energy efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The uprooting section is divided into multiple independent uprooting units, each capable of independent movement between active and inactive positions, allowing selective engagement based on crop detection while managing complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The control means and drive devices serve multiple functions: they manage both the movement of uprooting units between positions and the coordination based on detection feedback, reducing overall system complexity through multi-functional components
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 enhances the efficiency and speed of the harvesting process by minimizing unnecessary energy use and reducing wear on uprooting units, making the process more economical and faster.
Implementation Method 1
The harvesting device includes, for the at least one of the uprooting units, in particular for each of the uprooting units, a drive device, in particular including a hydraulic cylinder, adapted to move the corresponding uprooting unit between its active position and its inactive position
Data Source
AI summary
A harvesting device includes a support defining an uprooting position of the harvesting device, and an uprooting section comprising at least two uprooting units, each uprooting unit having at least one uprooting element, each uprooting unit being adapted to uproot root crop. At least one of the uprooting units is mobile with respect to the support between an active position and an inactive position, the active position being a position in which the uprooting unit is able to uproot beet crop in a field having a field surface when the harvesting device is in the uprooting position, the inactive position being a position in which the uprooting unit is unable to uproot beet crop in the field when the harvesting device is in the uprooting position.