Spreader Width Control for Even Residue Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current crop residue spreading systems fail to distribute residue evenly across a field, particularly during turns, leading to uneven soil nutrient distribution and reduced efficiency due to residue falling on unharvested crops.
Innovation Solution
A system with a direction detector and a spreader connected to an agricultural combine, featuring impellers and residue flow directors that adjust the trajectory of the residue flow based on detected direction changes, ensuring even distribution by altering the flow of residue during turns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the combine executes a turn during harvesting, then the combine can navigate field boundaries and obstacles, but the residue spread becomes uneven with under-spread areas on the inside of the curve and over-spread areas on the outside
Solution Approach 1:
The spreader system dynamically adjusts the spreader width based on detected direction changes of the combine. The control system receives signals from the direction detector and automatically modifies the spreader width to compensate for turns, maintaining uniform residue distribution across the field regardless of combine maneuvering.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a direction detector to continuously monitor combine orientation and provides feedback to the control system. This feedback loop enables real-time adjustments to the spreader width, ensuring that residue is distributed evenly even when the combine changes direction during harvesting operations.
2Device complexity
If the spreader width is fixed according to header width, then the spreader configuration is simple, but residue distribution becomes uneven during direction changes
Solution Approach 1:
The spreader width is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The system automatically changes the spreader width in response to detected direction changes, transforming a static configuration into a dynamic one that adapts to operational conditions while maintaining uniform residue distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The spreader width parameter is changed automatically based on combine direction. The control system modifies this key parameter in real-time according to direction detector signals, enabling the spreader to maintain optimal performance during turns without requiring complex manual adjustment.
3Productivity
If residue is spread on unharvested crops during turns, then the spreading operation continues without interruption, but crop yield is reduced and residue is reintroduced into the combine
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of direction changes before they significantly affect residue distribution. By detecting turns in advance, the control system can proactively adjust the spreader width to prevent residue from falling on unharvested crops, eliminating the harmful effect before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies a counteracting adjustment to the spreader width when a turn is detected, creating a preliminary anti-action that offsets the natural tendency for residue to fall on unharvested crops. This preemptive adjustment ensures residue is distributed only on harvested areas even during directional changes.
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 ensures that residue is evenly spread across the field, preventing under- or over-spread areas and maintaining soil nutrient distribution, thereby enhancing harvesting efficiency and future crop growth.
Implementation Method 1
The direction detector is configured to detect direction changes of the agricultural combine and to produce a signal representative of the direction change
Implementation Method 2
The spreader includes one or more impellers and a housing, with the impellers being operatively connected to the housing for rotating therein
Implementation Method 3
The residue flow directors are configured to alter the flow of residue from the agricultural combine, the system being configured to alter the flow of residue dependent upon the signal
Data Source
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AI summary
A spreader system (220) for discharging residue from an agricultural combine (72) to a ground surface. The spreader system (220) including a direction detector (32) and a spreader (96) operatively connected to a rear end of the agricultural combine (72). The direction detector (32) is configured to detect direction changes of the agricultural combine (72) and to produce a signal representative of the direction change. The spreader (96) includes one or more impellers (100, 102) and a housing (98), with the impellers (100, 102) being operatively connected to the housing (98) for rotating therein. The housing (98) having an inlet for receiving a flow of residue, an outlet coupled to the housing (98) for discharging the flow of residue, and one or more residue flow directors (224, 226). The residue flow directors (224, 226) are configured to alter the flow of residue from the agricultural combine (72), the system being configured to alter the flow of residue dependent upon the signal.