Feed Rate Control for the Head-Feed Thresher

수급식탈곡기(穗給式脱穀機)의 공급율(供給率) 제어(制御)(II) -제어시스템 설계 및 시뮬레이션-

This study was undertaken to develop the feed rate control system for the head feed thresher by making use of the microprocessor and to evaluate the response of the system to a various threshing conditions. The control unit was composed of one-board microcomputer. The speed of the wet-paddy feeding chain was controlled by dc moter with PI controller. It was used the adaptive control method to maintain the constant feed rate regardless of the fed rice varieties. The sliding type potentiometer was used as the feed rate sensor, which was attached on the sheaf-holding apparatus. The mathematical models of the system components were derived and computer simulation was developed for investigating the parameters affecting on control performance and for estimating the response of the system. A one-board microcomputer-based feed rate control system developed in this study was properly functioned and assessed as adequate for the feed rate control system of the head feed thresher. Based on the simulation for the bundle feed, it was anticipated that the lower setting value of the cylinder speed(RL) is to be set higher than the limiting operational speed. In addition, the higher setting value of the cylinder speed(RH) is to be set lower than the limiting cylinder speed for threshing. The computer simulation for the continuous spread feed showed that the lower the setting value of straw layer thickness(LL) was set, the shorter the correction time. However, if too low LL may be established, the feed rate could not reach to its desired rate.