Apparatus and method for determining grain loss in combine harvesters

US6869355B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Gerd Bernhardt · Daun, DE
• Ralf Hubner · Frankfurt, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 18, 2002
• Grant date: Mar 22, 2005
• Expiry date: Jan 17, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A01D41/1273
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus and method for determining grain loss of a harvesting machine. The harvesting machine has a crop-separating region with separating members. The separating members each have separation sensors for generating a signal corresponding to the crop quantity separated. This signal is delivered to an evaluating unit for further processing. Processing includes determining a separation curve for at least some of the separating zones and converting the separation curve to a characteristic quantity. From this measured characteristic quantity, a loss is determined based on a characteristic curve deposited in the evaluating unit. By avoiding direct loss measurement on the harvesting machine, the negative crop-related effects on determining grain loss are considerably reduced.