Rotatable Carrier for Autonomous Agricultural Cart Unloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional agricultural harvesting systems face inefficiencies due to the need for multiple operators to manage combines and storage systems, leading to delays when the storage system is full, as the combine lacks a storage system during transportation, reducing the overall harvesting process efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural carrier system with a rotatable base and ramps allows for autonomous operation of agricultural carts, enabling them to dock, unload, and return to the field without manual intervention, forming a continuous conveyor system that enhances efficiency by allowing unloading while other carts are still in transit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple operators are used to control the combine and storage system, then the harvesting operations can be performed, but delays occur when the storage system is full, reducing harvesting efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the storage function by separating the combine's grain storage from the carrier's multiple carts. The combine continuously loads grain into carts on the carrier while they are in the field, and unloading occurs separately when carts are returned to the carrier at the storage bin, eliminating the bottleneck where the combine must wait for the storage system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary loading action by having carts load grain from the combine while still in the field during the harvesting operation. This allows the combine to maintain continuous operation without waiting for unloading, as the grain is transferred to carts in advance before they return to the storage bin.
2Reliability
If the combine waits for the storage system to return, then grain can be unloaded, but the combine loses productive time without a storage system
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier acts as an intermediary system between the combine and the storage bin. It provides intermediate storage capacity through multiple carts that can be loaded while in the field and returned separately for unloading. This mediator allows the combine to maintain continuous operation without directly waiting for the storage bin availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous useful action by allowing the combine to continuously load grain into carts on the carrier throughout the harvesting operation. The carrier manages the continuous cycle of carts being loaded in the field and returned for unloading at the storage bin, ensuring the combine never stops its productive harvesting action.
3Ease of operation
If traditional manual operation is used, then operators can control the equipment, but the process requires multiple operators and reduces overall efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service automation where the carrier autonomously manages the cycle of transporting carts to the combine, loading grain, returning to the storage bin, and unloading. The carrier controller automatically coordinates these operations without requiring manual intervention from operators, reducing labor requirements while increasing efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural system includes a carrier configured to transport an agricultural cart to a position proximate to or within an agricultural field. The carrier includes a rotatable base and is configured to receive the agricultural cart on the rotatable base in a docking position. The carrier is configured to move the agricultural cart from the docking position to an unloading position to unload agricultural product from within the agricultural cart to a storage bin via rotation of the rotatable base.