Roll Conditioner Adjustment System for Agricultural Harvesting Machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current crop conditioning assemblies in agricultural harvesting machines require manual adjustment of gap size and tension between conditioning rolls, which is difficult, time-consuming, and potentially inaccurate due to corrosion and crop buildup, affecting drying time, tonnage, and feed quality.
Innovation Solution
A crop conditioning device with pivotally connected rolls and actuators that automatically adjust tension force and roll gap size, using a tension actuator and roll-gap actuators connected through control rods and sensors to ensure precise and efficient conditioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual adjustment of gap size and tension is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates and adjustment accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to automatically detect gap size and tension levels, then actuators automatically adjust the conditioning rolls to maintain optimal settings without operator intervention, making the system adjust itself based on real-time conditions
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical adjustment operations are replaced by an automated control system that uses sensors for detection, a controller for decision-making, and actuators for physical adjustment, substituting human mechanical operations with an automated electromechanical system
2Device complexity
If manual adjustment of gap size and tension is used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors continuously monitor the actual gap size and tension levels, providing real-time feedback to the controller, which then adjusts the actuators to maintain precise optimal settings, ensuring accurate and consistent conditioning roll parameters
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical adjustment operations are replaced by an automated control system that uses sensors for detection, a controller for decision-making, and actuators for physical adjustment, substituting human mechanical operations with an automated electromechanical system
3Device complexity
If manual adjustment of gap size and tension is used, then loss of time is reduced in terms of system complexity, but loss of time increases due to difficulty of adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to automatically detect gap size and tension levels, then actuators automatically adjust the conditioning rolls to maintain optimal settings without operator intervention, making the system adjust itself based on real-time conditions
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical adjustment operations are replaced by an automated control system that uses sensors for detection, a controller for decision-making, and actuators for physical adjustment, substituting human mechanical operations with an automated electromechanical system
Data Source
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AI summary
A crop conditioning device (120,820) for an agricultural harvesting machine (100). The crop conditioning device includes a frame (112,122,812,822), a first conditioning roll (124,824), and a second conditioning roll (126,826). The crop conditioning device also includes a tension member (141,841) operably connected to the second conditioning roll. The tension member is configured for applying a tension force on the second conditioning roll. The crop conditioning device also includes a tension actuator (144,844) operably connected to the tension member. The tension actuator is configured for adjusting the tension force applied by the tension member. The crop conditioning device also includes a pair of control rods (151,851) respectively connected to the pair of lateral ends of the second conditioning roll. The crop conditioning device also includes a pair of roll-gap actuators (152,852) respectively and operably connected to the pair of control rods. The pair of roll-gap actuators are configured for pivoting the second conditioning roll to adjust the roll gap (RG).