Mower Roller Conditioner Foreign Body Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mowers used for harvesting grass, alfalfa, or similar crops often fail to detect harmful foreign objects like stones or pieces of wood until the last work step, leading to potential damage to downstream machines.
Innovation Solution
A mower equipped with a cutter bar and a roller conditioner featuring upper and lower conditioning rollers with a variable gap, along with a device for detecting foreign bodies, which includes angle sensors and acceleration sensors to determine the presence and position of foreign objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a device for detecting foreign bodies is added to the mower, then foreign objects can be detected early and damage to downstream machines can be prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical detection systems with sensors that measure physical quantities (acceleration, angle). The acceleration sensor detects changes in motion caused by foreign objects, while the angle sensor monitors roller position, substituting mechanical inspection with electronic sensing to reduce overall system complexity while improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sensors as intermediary elements between the foreign objects and the control system. These sensors indirectly detect foreign bodies by measuring their effect on roller motion and position, rather than requiring direct contact or complex mechanical inspection, thus adding minimal complexity while achieving reliable detection
2Measurement precision
If angle sensors and acceleration sensors are installed to detect foreign bodies, then precise location information can be obtained, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the angle sensor to measure roller deflection in one dimension and the acceleration sensor to measure motion changes in another dimension. By combining measurements from these two different dimensions, the system achieves precise three-dimensional localization of foreign objects without requiring multiple sensors in each dimension, thus maintaining measurement precision while controlling device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the natural physical response of the roller system to foreign objects (acceleration changes and angle deflection) as the detection mechanism. The roller conditioner itself serves as part of the detection system by providing the mechanical response that the sensors measure, eliminating the need for separate active detection mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity
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
The system effectively detects foreign objects early in the harvesting process, allowing for their removal and preventing damage to downstream machines, while also providing precise location information for easier removal.
Implementation Method 1
an angle sensor is provided which continuously detects the deflection of a lever and transmits the detected measurement signals to a control device
Implementation Method 2
an acceleration sensor is provided for detecting foreign bodies, either alternatively or in addition to angle sensors. This acceleration sensor determines the acceleration of the upper, movable processing roller in the vertical direction
Implementation Method 3
a roller conditioner which is arranged behind the mower bar as seen in the direction of flow of mown crop and which has an upper conditioning roller and a lower conditioning roller, wherein a gap between the conditioning rollers, through which the crop is transported
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a mower (1) comprising a plurality of mowing elements positioned side by side to form a mower bar (2), and comprising a roller conditioner (4) arranged behind the mower bar (2) as viewed in the direction of crop flow of the mowed crop (3), said roller conditioner having an upper conditioning roller (5) and a lower conditioning roller (6), wherein a gap between the conditioning rollers (5, 6), through which the crop (3) is transported, is variable depending on the quantity of the crop (3), and wherein a device is provided for detecting or locating foreign bodies (12) in the mowed crop (3). (Fig. 2)