Active Steering Windrow Shields for Tractor-Implement Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural harvesting machines struggle to maintain alignment of the crop windrow with the towed implement during turns or side hill operations, leading to misalignment, uneven feeding, and poor bale formation due to the inability to adjust windrow shields on-the-fly.
Innovation Solution
A system with steerable windrow guide shields powered by an actuator, which can be manually or automatically adjusted based on the tractor's steering angle and towed implement position, ensuring the windrow remains aligned with the towed implement even on uneven terrain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If windrow shields are manually adjusted to various positions, then windrow placement can be changed, but the shields cannot be repositioned on-the-fly during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing static, manually-adjusted windrow shields with dynamically controllable shields that can be repositioned during operation. The shields are connected to an actuator system that allows real-time adjustment of shield position based on actual operating conditions such as terrain slope and turning radius, enabling the system to adapt dynamically rather than requiring manual intervention for each position change.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical tie-rod adjustment system with an actuator-based control system. Instead of using manual mechanical linkages that require stopping the machine to adjust, the invention uses powered actuators (hydraulic or electric) that can reposition the shields automatically during operation, substituting complex manual mechanical adjustment with automated actuation mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If the tractor and towed implement turn on different radii, then the vehicle can navigate turns, but the windrow becomes misaligned with the towed implement pickup assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by using sensors to detect the relative position and orientation of the towed implement with respect to the tractor during turning operations. This feedback information is fed to the control system, which then automatically adjusts the windrow shield position to compensate for the different turning radii, ensuring the windrow remains aligned with the pickup assembly throughout the turn.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by proactively adjusting the windrow shield position before misalignment occurs. The control system continuously monitors the tractor-implement configuration and anticipates the needed shield adjustment based on the detected turning motion, repositioning the shields in advance to maintain proper windrow placement throughout the maneuver.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the mower operates on side hills, then the mower can access uneven terrain, but the cut crop windrow drifts downhill causing misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback control to detect when the mower is operating on a side hill through inclination sensors or terrain detection systems. The control system receives this feedback and automatically adjusts the windrow shield position to counteract the gravitational force that causes windrow drift, maintaining accurate windrow placement despite the downhill slope.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by preemptively positioning the windrow shields to compensate for the expected windrow drift caused by gravity on side hills. The control system calculates the anticipated drift based on terrain slope detection and adjusts the shield position in advance to prevent misalignment, rather than reacting after the windrow has already drifted.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for positioning crop windrow guide shields projecting generally rearwardly alongside the crop discharge stream as it exits an agricultural mower. The shields are coupled for simultaneous, coordinated movement and repositioned by a powered actuator in response to either a manual input by a vehicle operator or automatically by a controller based on a steering angle deflection between a tractor and a towed implement. The system may be adapted for use with a single implement being operated on a side hill to control windrow drifting. The system may also be used with simultaneously operated front-mounted and pull-behind mowers to direct the crop discharge streams into a merged windrow.