JP2006325558A - Device for detecting amount of stored grain - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problems wherein it is difficult that the storage level of grain in a grain storage tank is catched stepwise, successively and precisely. <P>SOLUTION: The device for detecting the amount of the stored grain is constituted as follows: A pair of electrodes 2 has each nearly the same shape, and is each formed into a belt shape by alternately connecting proper wide-area parts 3 and small-area parts 4 in a stored amount-detecting means A for detecting the storage level of the grain stored in the grain storage tank 1 by the change of a capacitance between the pair of the electrodes 2 mutually facing at a proper distance. The pair of the electrodes 2 is arranged vertically. The upper edge part 3a of the proper wide-area parts 3 formed into a square shape is formed so as to be tilted downwardly by proper angle θ on one side. A coated film is applied on the pair of the electrodes 2 to insulate them, and the film in the vicinity of the upper edge part 3a of the proper wide area part 3 is formed so as to have a proper thickness t. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a grain storage amount detection device and belongs to a field such as one that detects a storage level of a grain amount stored in a grain storage tank.

In what detects the amount of grain in the Glen tank that stores the grain, a pair of electrodes are arranged along the vertical direction on the inner wall surface of the Glen tank, and the amount of grain in the Glen tank by this pair of electrodes The capacitance that changes in proportion to the electric signal is converted into an electric signal to continuously detect the amount of stored grains, and the wire connection terminals for the pair of electrodes penetrate the inner wall surface of the Glen tank to the outside. A grain amount detection device characterized by projecting is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 10-136769 A

  However, a pair of electrodes in such a grain amount detection device is conventionally formed by two vertically rectangular plates without irregularities, but these electrodes are affected by the degree of grain moisture value. The capacitance value changes and the detected value of the continuous grain amount deviates from the predetermined reference value, so that it is possible to accurately grasp the storage level of the grain step by step. It is impossible.

  Then, it is going to solve the malfunction that it is difficult to grasp | ascertain the storage level of such a grain continuously in steps.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a storage amount detecting means for detecting a storage level of a grain stored in the grain storage tank (1) by a change in capacitance between a pair of electrodes (2) facing each other at an appropriate distance. In (A), each of the pair of electrodes (2) has a substantially identical shape, and a plurality of appropriate wide-area portions (3) and narrow-area portions (4) are alternately formed continuously in a band shape. It is set as the structure of the grain storage amount detection apparatus.

  With such a configuration, a wide area portion (3) and a small area that are alternately arranged in a plurality of locations on the pair of electrodes (2) by increasing or decreasing the number of grains stored in the grain storage tank (1). Capacitance change due to the part (4) is detected in the large area part (3) and small in the narrow area part (4), and the storage level of the grains is accurately grasped step by step. Can do.

  The invention according to claim 2 is that in which the pair of electrodes (2) are arranged in the vertical direction, the upper edge (3a) of an appropriate wide area portion (3) formed in a square shape is set at an appropriate angle on one side. The grain storage amount detection device according to claim 1, wherein the grain storage amount detection device is configured to be inclined downward by (θ).

  With such a configuration, when the grain flows down for discharge in the grain storage tank (1), the wide area part (3) of the pair of electrodes (2) is wide and the upper edge part (3a) is horizontally long. By becoming, it becomes easy to catch the foreign matter mixed in the grain, such as branching and cutting, etc., so this foreign matter is along the descending slope by the appropriate angle (θ) of the upper edge (3a) It can be removed with the movement of the grain.

  In the invention of claim 3, in the case where a coating film for insulating the pair of electrodes (2) is applied, the vicinity of the upper edge part (3a) of an appropriate wide area part (3) is provided with an appropriate thick film ( It is set as the structure of the grain storage amount detection apparatus of Claim 1 and Claim 2 formed in t).

  With such a configuration, when the grain flows down for discharge in the grain storage tank (1), the wide area part (3) of the pair of electrodes (2) is wide and the upper edge part (3a) is horizontally long. Therefore, since the resistance generated when the grain passes is large and the insulating coating film is locally worn out in large quantities, the electrode near the upper edge (3a) is made an appropriate thick film (t). (2) The wear of the entire paint film can be equalized.

  In invention of Claim 1, like the said effect | action, by the increase / decrease in the grain stored in the grain storage tank (1), the wide area part (3) arrange | positioned alternately at a pair of electrode (2) and narrow Capacitance change due to the amount of moisture in the grain, because it is possible to detect the level of change in capacitance due to the area part (4) and to grasp the storage level of the grain accurately step by step. Even if the value changes and the detected value of the grain amount deviates from the predetermined reference value, the stable storage level of the kernel can be confirmed regardless of this deviation.

  In the invention of claim 2, as described above, when the grain flows down for discharge in the grain storage tank (1), the horizontally long upper edges of the wide area portion (3) of the pair of electrodes (2) The part (3a) makes it easy to catch foreign matters mixed in the grain, but this foreign matter is removed by flowing along with the downward movement of the upper edge (3a) according to the appropriate angle (θ). Therefore, it is possible to prevent clogging of grains in the tank (1).

  In the invention of claim 3, as described above, when the grain flows down for discharging in the grain storage tank (1), the horizontally long upper edge of the wide area portion (3) of the pair of electrodes (2) When the grain passes through the part (3a), the insulating coating film is locally worn in large quantities. For such a phenomenon, the vicinity of the upper edge part (3a) is set to an appropriate thick film (t). As a result, it is possible to equalize the wear of the coating film on the entire electrode (2), so that it is possible to maintain insulation for a long period of time, and it is possible to extend the life of the capacitance detection function by the electrode (2). .

  The amount of grain stored in the grain storage tank 1 is confirmed in stages by detecting the magnitude of the change in the capacitance of the pair of electrodes 2 in stages. Moreover, the catch of the foreign material with respect to the horizontally long upper edge part 3a of the wide area part 3 of a pair of electrode 2 is removed. In addition, local heavy wear of the insulating coating film on the horizontally long upper edge 3a of the wide area portion 3 of the pair of electrodes 2 is prevented.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 15 shows the overall structure of the combine. A traveling device 7 having a pair of left and right traveling crawlers 6 traveling on the soil surface is disposed on the lower side of the chassis 5, and a feed chain is provided on the chassis 5. 8 Grain storage tank 1 that selectively collects and recovers grains obtained by threshing cereals that are sandwiched between 8 and transported, and cereal that discharges the grains stored in storage tank 1 to the outside of the machine A threshing device 10 provided with an auger 9 is placed and disposed, and a slaughtering device 11 is mounted on the rear end portion of the threshing device 10 and configured.

  In front of the threshing device 10, a weeding body 12 for weeding uncut corn straw from the front end side, a pulling part 13 for causing the chopped corn straw, a cutting blade part 14 for cutting off the caused corn straw, and mowing A mowing device 16 having a feed adjusting and conveying section 15 and the like that scrapes the cereal and adjusts the handling depth in the course of conveyance and takes over to the feed chain 8 can be raised and lowered with respect to the soil surface by a mowing lift cylinder 17. In this way, it is suspended from the front end portion of the chassis 5 and configured.

  An operation device 18 for controlling the operation of the combine and an operation seat 19 for operation are provided on one side of the harvesting device 16, an engine 20 is mounted on the lower side of the operation seat 19, and the grain storage is provided on the rear side. The tank 1 is disposed and a cabin 21 is provided to cover the operation device 18 and the operation seat 19. The vehicle body of the combine is formed by the traveling device 7, the threshing device 10, the mowing device 16, the operation device 18, the engine 20, the cabin 21, and the like. 22 is configured.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the grain storage tank 1 has a bottom conveying spiral 23 that conveys the stored grains rearward along the bottom, and a rear end portion of the bottom conveying spiral 23 is connected to the bottom conveying spiral. The grain transported by the head 23 is connected to a threshing gear case 24 for changing the direction to vertical feed transportation, and the threshing gear case 24 is fixed to the rear outer wall 1a of the tank 1.

  A vertical cereal base 25 having a vertical cereal spiral 25a for vertically feeding and conveying the grain is supported on the cereal gear case 24 so as to be rotatable along the rear outer wall 1a in the vertical direction. With the upper end portion of the grain base 25 as a base, a horizontal milling cylinder 26 equipped with a horizontal grain helix 26a for transversally feeding the grain is disposed over the longitudinal length of the vehicle body 22, and these vertical grain harvesting bases. The grain auger 9 is configured by interlocking connection so that the grain can be discharged out of the machine by the right and left turning action and the vertical turning action by the cylinder 25 and the horizontal grain hose 26.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a pair of electrodes 2 that detect the storage level of the grains stored in the grain storage tank 1 based on a change in capacitance are static as the storage amount detection means A. The electric capacity is extended in the vertical direction at a position where an abnormal change is hardly caused by the influence of the inner wall surface 1b of the tank 1, that is, at a spatial position separated from the inner wall surface 1b by a predetermined distance or more. The detection range of 2 is configured so as to enable wide area detection without being affected by the shape of the tank 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 (a), (b), and (c), the pair of electrodes 2 is an electrode plate 2a that is a thin plate that is provided with two insulating coatings that are substantially the same shape and are elongated at an appropriate distance from each other. , 2b, and the bipolar plates 2a, 2b each have an appropriate amount of flange f in a U-shaped cross section, and are cut out into a rectangular shape by an appropriate length leaving a flange f portion on one side. The ridge area portion 4 and the wide area portion 3 having an appropriate length that is not cut out are alternately formed at a plurality of locations.

  The bipolar plates 2a and 2b formed in this manner are relatively arranged at appropriate intervals with the flanges f facing outward, and the appropriate positions of the wide area portions 3 of the bipolar plates 2a and 2b and the narrow, cross-sectional U-shape. The both ends of the electrode plate holding fitting 27 formed in a shape are tightened and assembled so that they can be insulated by small screws 30 and nuts 30a that are insulated through the electrode plate holding collars 28 and the resin washers 29 on both sides. The center outer side of each electrode plate holding metal fitting 27 is fixedly connected to each other by a connection reinforcing plate 31.

  The upper edge portion 3a of each wide area portion 3 of each of the bipolar plates 2a, 2b is appropriately removed so that impurities such as branching and cuttings mixed in the grain can be removed by flowing along with the movement of the grain. The angle θ is formed so as to be inclined downward.

  As a response to the phenomenon in which the resistance when the grain passes through the vicinity of the upper edge 3a of each wide area portion 3 of the bipolar plates 2a, 2b is large and the coating of the insulating coating causes a large amount of wear locally. An appropriate thick film t is formed.

  A storage amount detection sensor 32 for continuously detecting the storage amount of grains by converting the capacitance generated by the pair of electrodes 2 into a voltage is attached to the upper end side of one electrode plate 2a (or 2b). As an electronic circuit of the storage amount detection sensor 32, as shown in FIG. 4, the oscillation circuit 32a is connected to the resistor 32c via the pulse width adjustment circuit 32b, and the capacitance of the pair of electrodes 2 is obtained from the resistor 32c. The connecting arm 33 is connected to output the detected value via the receiving rectifier circuit 32d, the smoothing circuit 32e, and the amplifier circuit 32f, and is attached to the vertical position of one of the electrode plates 2a (or 2b) as the minus (ground) side. By connecting to an appropriate position of the grain storage tank 1.

  By adopting the above-described configuration, a wide area portion 3 and a narrow area portion 4 that are alternately arranged at a plurality of locations on a pair of electrodes 2 by increasing or decreasing the grain stored in the grain storage tank 1. As shown in FIG. 5, the change in the capacitance due to the above is detected and used by the storage amount detection sensor 32 to detect that the large area portion 3 has a large voltage change and the narrow area portion 4 has a small voltage change. Since the detection value is proportional to the electrode area, the influence of grain moisture etc. is small, and the grain storage level can be accurately grasped step by step. It can be carried out.

  Moreover, when the grain flows down for discharge in the grain storage tank 1 because the upper edge 3a of each wide area part 3 of the bipolar plates 2a, 2b is horizontally long, Since it is easy to catch foreign matter such as branch branch and chopping, the foreign matter can be removed and removed along with the movement of the grain along the downward slope of the upper edge 3a at an appropriate angle θ. There is no occurrence of clogging of grains in the tank 1.

  Moreover, when the grain flows down for discharge in the grain storage tank 1 because the upper edge 3a of each wide area part 3 of each bipolar plate 2a, 2b is horizontally long, the passage of the grain The wear of the coating film of the entire electrode 2 is equalized by making the vicinity of the upper edge part 3a an appropriate thick film t against the local heavy wear of the insulating coating film in the vicinity of the upper edge part 3a caused by Therefore, the insulation can be maintained for a long time, and the life of the electrostatic capacity detection function by the electrode 2 can be extended.

  Further, the central outer side of the electrode plate holding metal fitting 27 that holds the electrode plates 2a and 2b relative to each other at an appropriate distance is reinforced and integrated in the longitudinal and longitudinal direction by fixed connection by the connection reinforcing plates 31 to increase rigidity. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a state in which the strength of each brim area portion 4 of the bipolar plates 2a and 2b is low and deformation or the like easily occurs.

  Further, a small screw for tightening the appropriate positions of the wide area portions 3 of the two electrode plates 2a and 2b and the both end portions of the electrode plate holding bracket 27 via the electrode plate holding collars 28 and the resin washers 29 on both sides. As shown in FIG. 6, the plate 30 is fixed to the two plates 2a and 2b integrally, and the clamping holes 27a provided at both ends of the plate holding bracket 27 are cut off to the ends, thereby Since 27 can be inserted into the small screw 30 and tightened, the assembly becomes easy and the cost can be reduced.

  In addition, since moisture has a large dielectric constant and becomes an error factor in the electrode 2 based on the detection principle of capacitance, as shown in FIG. 7, a heating element 34 is provided on each of the opposite back surfaces of the bipolar plates 2a and 2b. Thus, it is possible to stabilize the detection accuracy by promoting the drying of moisture adhering to the surface side of the bipolar plates 2a, 2b.

  Further, in the electronic circuit of the storage amount detection sensor 32 as shown in FIG. 4, a resistor 32c having an appropriate value is inserted and connected in series with one of the electrode plates 2a (or 2b). Since it is possible to detect a change in electric capacity (change in reactance) as a change in voltage, it is possible to reduce the error by correcting the deviation from the linearity of the reference storage level detection voltage.

  In addition, since the detection of capacitance by the pair of electrodes 2 varies depending on the dielectric constant, a detection voltage when a storage level at a predetermined position set in advance is set in the electronic circuit of the storage amount detection sensor 32 in advance. If the value is equal to or less than the above value, by adding a sensitivity switching unit that switches sensitivity according to a signal from the control side, as shown in FIG. The relationship between the detected voltage and the sensitivity switching level v is represented by a diagram. In the hatched line indicating the defective crop in this diagram, the detected voltage is lower than the sensitivity switching level v and the sensitivity is switched. Thus, even if there is a large change in the dielectric constant due to the design or the like, automatic handling is possible.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, the relationship between the storage level of the grain and the voltage at which the electrostatic capacity is detected by the pair of electrodes 2 is represented by a diagram. Since the moisture value can be estimated (the higher the moisture content, the greater the inclination angle), it is not necessary to separately provide a moisture sensor, and moisture can be detected at a low cost.

Thus, in what detects a water | moisture content according to the inclination state of the diagram by the water | moisture-content value of a grain, by the large area part 3 and the narrow area part 4 of the bipolar plates 2a and 2b in this pair of electrodes 2, FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the change in the voltage at which each capacitance is detected is represented by a diagram in accordance with the storage level of the grain, and the moisture value depends on the inclination state per unit time by the detection of the large area portion 3 of this diagram. The grain moisture can be detected without using a moisture sensor separately. (Unit time is changed according to storage speed)
As shown in FIG. 11, unlike the pair of electrodes 2, even in a pair of flat electrodes 35 that do not have the wide area portion 3 and the narrow area portion 4, a certain amount of storage level is set at a plurality of preset positions. By attaching each sensor 36 for detecting the water content, the moisture value can be obtained by the same method as described above, and the grain moisture can be detected without using a separate moisture sensor.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the shape of the grain storage tank 1 is inclined with respect to the bottom conveying spiral 23 in order to prevent clogging during grain discharge, and the cross-sectional area is narrowed. The storage rate of the grain is faster than the upper side, and as shown in FIG. 12, the state of correcting the time interval for determining the moisture value according to the vertical position of the electrode 2 in the tank 1 is a diagram. In the expression, the time interval (long) for determining the moisture value when the storage position of the grain rises from the lower side to the upper side of the tank 1 can be obtained by the inclined state of this diagram.

  Further, when the moisture value is determined by the pair of electrodes 2 as described above, the grain amount stored in the grain storage tank 1 varies depending on the slowness / speed of the vehicle speed. Since the moisture value is different in the determination of the time interval, as shown in FIG. 13, the time interval for determining the moisture value of the grain with respect to the vehicle speed is represented by a diagram. The time interval for determining the moisture value according to the vehicle speed can be obtained so that the time interval is longer when the vehicle speed is slow and shorter when the vehicle speed is fast.

  Moreover, when the upper end part of this pair of electrodes 2 is installed so that it may be located in the downward side by the preset distance from the upper surface of the said grain storage tank 1, When the storage state of a grain is continuing, When the detection voltage of the capacitance that is alternately changed by the wide area portion 3 and the narrow area portion 4 provided on the electrode 2 does not change even after a preset time has elapsed, Since it can be determined that the upper end is over and full can be detected, it is not particularly necessary to install a sensor or the like for detecting fullness. It can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14, a moisture sensor in which the pair of electrodes 2 are miniaturized in the vicinity of the cereal takeover part 37 for conveying the cereal harvested by the reaping device 16 at the front of the vehicle body 22 to the rear threshing device 10. 38 (the layer thickness sensor 39 may be used in combination to increase detection accuracy), and the moisture sensor 38 detects the moisture and wetting of the cereal before it is supplied to the threshing device 10, Depending on the detection result, the threshing rotation speed, the rocking rotation speed, and the like can be changed and adjusted under optimum conditions.

  As described above, by using the moisture sensor 38 using the electrostatic capacity, it is possible to use the sensor at a lower cost as compared with the absorption of near infrared rays, the electric resistance type, and the like, and supply to the threshing apparatus 10 as in the past. Since it can be adjusted to the optimum working conditions with respect to the moisture and wetness of the previously detected corn straw, it is possible to prevent damage and quality deterioration of the corn straw.

  It can also be used for cereals and powders other than grains.

The side view which shows the structure state of the grain storage tank and combine grain auger of a combine. (A) The rear view which shows the electrode arrangement | positioning state of the grain amount detection means in a grain storage tank. (B) The side view which shows the electrode arrangement | positioning state of the grain amount detection means in a grain storage tank. (A) The side view which shows the shape and assembly state of the bipolar plate of a pair of electrode of a grain amount detection means. (B) The front view which shows the shape and assembly state of the bipolar plate of a pair of electrode of a grain amount detection means. (C) The top view which shows the shape and assembly state of the bipolar plate of a pair of electrode of a grain amount detection means. The block diagram which shows the electronic circuit of the storage amount detection sensor which detects a grain storage level. The action figure which shows the change state of the detection voltage by the wide area part and narrow area part of a pair of electrode. The perspective view which shows the assembly | attachment part of the small screw for a bipolar plate fastening of a pair of electrode, and an electrode plate holding | maintenance bracket. The perspective view which shows the state which provided the heat generating body in each back surface side of the bipolar plate of a pair of electrode. The diagram which shows the relationship between the fixed amount sensor position in a stored grain, and a sensitivity switching level. The diagram which shows the relationship between a grain storage level and the electrostatic capacitance detection voltage by a pair of electrode. The diagram which calculates | requires a moisture value with the voltage tendency per unit time of the wide area part of an electrode plate. The side view which shows the arrangement | positioning state of a sensor in the appropriate position of the flat electrode different from the above. The diagram which shows the correction | amendment state of the time interval of the water | moisture-content determination in a grain storage tank. The diagram which shows the state which changes the time interval of the moisture value determination with respect to a vehicle speed to long and short. The side view which shows the state which attached the water | moisture-content sensor to the grain culm takeover part of the combine. The side view which shows the whole structure in a combine.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Grain storage tank 2 A pair of electrodes 3 Wide area part 3a Upper edge part 4 Narrow area part A Storage amount detection means (theta) angle t Thick film

Claims (3)

  In the storage amount detection means (A) for detecting the storage level of the grains stored in the grain storage tank (1) by a change in capacitance between the pair of electrodes (2) opposed to each other at an appropriate distance, the pair Each of the electrodes (2) has a substantially identical shape, and a suitable large-area part (3) and narrow-area part (4) are alternately formed in a plurality of continuous belts to detect the amount of stored grain apparatus.   In the case where the pair of electrodes (2) are arranged in the vertical direction, the upper edge (3a) of an appropriate wide area part (3) formed in a square shape is inclined downward by an appropriate angle (θ) on one side. The grain storage amount detection device according to claim 1, wherein the device is formed.   In the case where a coating film for insulating the pair of electrodes (2) is applied, the vicinity of the upper edge (3a) of an appropriate wide area part (3) is formed as an appropriate thick film (t). The grain storage amount detection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is characterized in that

Images