Centrifugal Spreader Throwing Behavior Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centrifugal spreaders face challenges in maintaining reliable throwing behavior and predetermined working widths due to variations in fertilizer surface properties and grain size, leading to unsatisfactory spread patterns despite control loop adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A method that adjusts the rotational speed of spreading discs to match target throwing distances and angles, using radar measurements for continuous feedback to stabilize throwing behavior, prioritizing throwing angle adjustments over rotational speed changes to maintain consistent working widths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If control loops adjust rotational speed and feed system positions to regulate throwing distance and angle, then throwing behavior can be controlled, but reliable regulation of predetermined working width is not achieved due to slow response and unpredictable dead times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic regulation by continuously measuring actual throwing distance and angle during operation and adjusting feed system positions in real-time based on feedback from radar sensors. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to changing conditions (fertilizer properties, rotational speed variations) and maintain reliable working width regulation, overcoming the limitations of static pre-set parameters and slow control loops.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where radar sensors continuously measure actual throwing distance and angle, and this information is fed back to the control system. The control system then adjusts feed system positions based on the deviation from target values. This closed-loop feedback ensures reliable regulation of working width by continuously correcting deviations, addressing the unreliability of open-loop or slow control systems.
2Ease of manufacture
If spreading parameters are determined under standardized conditions using spreading tables, then initial setup is simplified, but unsatisfactory results occur when fertilizer surface properties or grain size differ from standard conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent retains the benefit of preliminary action by allowing operators to enter desired working width and fertilizer type at the beginning, which automatically retrieves appropriate target throwing parameters from stored data. This preliminary setup is enhanced by continuous real-time measurement and adjustment during operation, ensuring adaptability to actual conditions while maintaining ease of initial configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes operating parameters (feed system position, throwing angle) based on real-time measurements of actual throwing behavior. When deviations are detected, the system automatically adjusts parameters to compensate for variations in fertilizer properties such as surface properties or grain size, thereby maintaining satisfactory performance across different fertilizer types without requiring manual reconfiguration of spreading tables.
3Productivity
If both throwing distance and throwing angle are continuously regulated in parallel control loops, then optimal operation for given working width can be achieved, but the control loop for throwing distance is too slow and causes unpredictable dead times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control function by separating the regulation of throwing distance (via rotational speed control) from throwing angle regulation (via feed system position control). The throwing angle control operates continuously with fast response, while rotational speed is adjusted in discrete steps. This segmentation allows the critical angle control to respond quickly to maintain working width, while distance optimization occurs at a slower pace without causing dead times.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic adjustment of rotational speed at discrete intervals rather than continuous adjustment. This periodic action for distance optimization avoids the dead times associated with slow continuous control loops, while continuous feed system adjustment maintains optimal throwing angle. The periodic nature of speed adjustment prevents control conflicts and ensures stable operation.
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 approach ensures more reliable and stable regulation of throwing behavior, maintaining predetermined working widths even under varying conditions by prioritizing throwing angle adjustments and using discrete rotational speed levels, thereby compensating for deviations in throwing distance.
Implementation Method 1
distribute radar sensors on each spreading disc covering their usable throwing angle range, to emit radar lobes, and to deliver information in the usable throwing angle range about an actual throwing angle distribution and/or an actual speed distribution of the fertilizer grains thrown
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for regulating the throwing behavior of a centrifugal spreader for fertilizer and to a centrifugal spreader configured therefor. According thereto, a target throwing distance is determined for a target working width. Furthermore, one of several rotational speed levels is selected for at least one spreading disc to approximate the actual throwing distance to the target throwing distance. Finally, an adapted target throwing angle for regulating an actual throwing angle is determined from the actual throwing distance (WW1) and counteracts in a compensatory manner a deviation from the target working width caused be the difference between the actual throwing distance and the target throwing distance. Continuous regulation of the throwing distance then becomes unnecessary, resulting in more stable regulation of the overall throwing behavior.