Vehicle Grit Distribution Device for Even Field Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Combine harvesters face challenges in evenly distributing grit over the field, particularly when dealing with residual strips of varying widths, leading to uneven distribution and potential contamination of neighboring areas.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle with a pick-up device and distribution system that includes a detection means to monitor the distribution of crops across the width of the receiving device, allowing the control unit to adjust the position of the grit strip based on detected inequalities, ensuring even distribution and alignment with crop edges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the distribution device operates with fixed parameters to maintain stability, then the operational simplicity is improved, but the adaptability to varying residual strip widths deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to varying residual strip widths
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The distribution device parameters are made dynamically adjustable during operation. The control unit automatically modifies distribution parameters such as throwing angle, throwing distance, and strip width based on real-time detection of residual strip characteristics, enabling the system to adapt to varying conditions without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A detection device continuously monitors the actual distribution quality and residual strip characteristics, providing feedback signals to the control unit. This closed-loop control system automatically adjusts distribution parameters to maintain optimal performance across varying field conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If manual adjustment of distribution parameters is required to adapt to remaining strip width, then the distribution precision is improved, but the loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistribution precisionVSAvoidtime for parameter adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-adjustment through automated detection and control. The detection device identifies residual strip characteristics, and the control unit automatically calculates and applies the appropriate distribution parameters without requiring driver intervention, eliminating time loss while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical adjustment of distribution parameters is replaced by an automated electronic control system. The control unit processes detection signals and actuates distribution device components electronically, substituting manual operation with automated control to eliminate adjustment time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Area of stationary object

If the strip of grit is widened to cover the remaining strip, then the coverage is improved, but the harmful factors increase due to contamination of neighboring areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage area of grit stripVSAvoidcontamination of neighboring field areas
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The distribution device creates locally optimized grit strips with parameters tailored to each specific residual strip section. By adjusting throwing angle, distance, and intensity locally based on detected strip width and position, the system achieves precise coverage without excessive spreading into neighboring areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes distribution parameters including strip width, throwing angle, and ejection velocity based on real-time detection of residual strip characteristics. This parameter adaptation ensures the grit strip matches the residual strip dimensions exactly, providing complete coverage while preventing contamination of adjacent areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2936961B1Vehicle with spread goods distribution device
Publication Date: 2018.08.15 CLAAS SELBSTFAHRENDE ERNTEMASCHINEN GMBH
  • EP2936961B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2936961B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2936961B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

In a vehicle with a receiving device (3) for harvested crops and a distribution device (4) for distributing a spreading material separated from the harvested crops during travel in the form of a spreading material strip (54) behind the vehicle, the distribution device (4) is controllable to vary the position of the spreading material strip (54) transversely to the direction of travel, a detection means is provided to detect the distribution of the harvested crops (9) over the width of the receiving device (3), and a control unit is provided to control the position of the spreading material strip (54) based on the detected distribution.