Vibration Sensor Unit for Grain Loss and Damage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems require multiple sensor units to monitor lost grains and moving part damage in combine harvesters, increasing operational expenses and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A single vibration sensor unit with an integrated electronic signal processing circuit that transmits signals for both grain loss detection and moving part damage analysis, providing dual functionality within a common housing or separately arranged components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple impact sound sensor units are used to simultaneously monitor lost grain and bearing damage, then monitoring reliability is improved, but device complexity and operational expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single impact sound sensor unit to perform multiple monitoring tasks simultaneously. The sensor unit can be programmed for different applications including grain loss detection and bearing damage monitoring, allowing one device to replace multiple specialized sensors and reduce overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring coverage
2Device complexity
If a single vibration sensor unit is used for both grain loss detection and moving part monitoring, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision for each function may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics through reconfigurable signal processing capabilities. The impact sound sensor unit can dynamically adjust its evaluation algorithms and processing parameters based on the specific monitoring task at hand. This allows the single sensor to optimize its measurement precision for different functions (grain loss vs. bearing monitoring) by changing its processing mode rather than requiring fixed specialized hardware for each application
3Measurement precision
If one impact sound sensor unit is programmed for a single application, then measurement precision for that application is improved, but adaptability to other monitoring tasks is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality through programmable impact sound sensor units that can be configured for different monitoring applications. The same hardware platform supports multiple evaluation methods and can be adapted to detect grain loss, bearing damage, or other mechanical anomalies, providing both specialized precision when needed and broad adaptability across different monitoring scenarios
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 solution reduces operational expenses and complexity by enabling simultaneous monitoring of grain loss and moving part damage, optimizing the control and operation of combine harvesters with a single unit.
Implementation Method 1
Grains that impinge on the impact plate generate vibrations that are detected by the vibration sensors
Implementation Method 2
detect by means of an oscillation sensor possible errors of moving parts of the harvesting machine on the basis of the vibrations caused by the defects
Data Source
AI summary
A vibration sensor unit (66) is provided with a vibration sensor (72) and with an electronic signal processing circuit (82) which derives from the signals of the vibration sensor (72) information regarding a quantity of lost grain detected by the vibration sensor (72). The electronic signal processing circuit (82) also examines the signals of the vibration sensor (72) for vibrations that may be signs of potential damage to moving parts.