Silo Filling with Automated Crop Layer Height Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for filling and compacting harvested crops in silos often result in uneven layer heights, leading to non-uniform compaction and inefficiencies in storage, as operators manually adjust the distribution vehicle's sliding plate to achieve uniformity.
Innovation Solution
A method using sensor devices on the distribution vehicle to continuously record the surface topography of the crop within the silo, processing this information to automatically control the working height of the sliding plate, ensuring each crop layer is stacked with a substantially uniform height, thereby optimizing compaction and filling processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual adjustment of the distribution vehicle's sliding plate is used to achieve uniform layer heights, then operator control flexibility is maintained, but operator workload increases and operational reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensor devices to automatically detect surface topography and the control unit autonomously adjusts the sliding plate working height based on detected deviations, enabling the system to self-correct layer height uniformity without continuous manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical adjustment system is replaced with an automated control system that uses sensor devices to detect surface topography and a control unit to automatically adjust the sliding plate working height, substituting human operation with automated sensing and control mechanisms
2Manufacturing precision
If manual adjustment of the distribution vehicle's sliding plate is used to achieve uniform layer heights, then simple system structure is maintained, but manufacturing precision of layer heights deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Sensor devices continuously detect the surface topography of previously deposited crop layers and feed this information back to the control unit, which automatically adjusts the sliding plate working height to compensate for deviations and maintain uniform layer heights
Solution Approach 2:
The simple manual adjustment mechanism is replaced with an automated system incorporating sensor devices for surface detection and a control unit for automatic working height adjustment, trading increased system complexity for significantly improved layer height uniformity
3Manufacturing precision
If automatic sensor-based control of sliding plate height is implemented, then layer height uniformity and compaction quality improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Sensor devices continuously detect surface topography and provide feedback to the control unit, which automatically adjusts the sliding plate working height in real-time to ensure uniform compaction across the entire crop layer
Solution Approach 2:
The system autonomously monitors surface conditions and self-adjusts the sliding plate position through automated control, enabling consistent compaction quality without requiring operator expertise or manual intervention
4Productivity
If the distribution vehicle continuously adjusts sliding plate height based on surface topography, then filling efficiency is optimized, but ease of operation decreases due to automation
Solution Approach 1:
Manual operator control of the sliding plate is replaced with automated sensor-based detection and control unit-driven adjustment, enabling continuous optimization of layer height uniformity and compaction quality without operator intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution vehicle autonomously adjusts its sliding plate working height based on real-time surface topography detection, optimizing filling efficiency and compaction uniformity through self-controlled automation
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The present application relates to a method for filling a silo (1) with harvested material (2) comprising the following process steps: a) Harvested material (2) is unloaded at a discharge point (3) on the silo (1). b) The unloaded harvested material (2) is introduced into the silo (1) by means of a distribution vehicle (4). c) In the course of introducing further harvested material (2) into the silo (1), the already introduced harvested material (2) is driven over by the distribution vehicle (4). In order to provide both a method and a distribution vehicle by means of which the filling of a silo can be further optimized, the following process steps are proposed according to the invention: d) By means of a sensor device (6) arranged on the distribution vehicle (4), information concerning the surface topography of the harvested material (2) already introduced into the silo (1) is continuously acquired.e) By means of a control device (7) the information is processed so that the control device (7) is suitable to control a working height (8) of the push shield (5) in such a way that the crop (2) is successively piled up in layers (9) of crop with a uniform layer height (10).