Actuator Speed Control for Harvest Ejection Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural harvesting machines face challenges in precisely controlling the impact point of crop jets over long distances due to the geometric and kinematic structure of transfer devices, leading to imprecise adjustments and increased crop losses.
Innovation Solution
A system that dynamically adjusts the actuating speed of actuators, such as the ejection flap and transfer device, based on the throwing distance, using a control unit that records and processes throwing distance data to ensure precise control of the crop jet direction, particularly at long ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the ejection flap is adjusted quickly to change the crop direction, then the reaction time is short and the ejection direction can be changed rapidly, but the point of impact shifts by many meters and precision is lost, leading to crop losses
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the actuator speed based on the current throwing distance. When the throwing distance is large, the actuator speed is reduced to maintain precision; when the throwing distance is small, the actuator speed can be increased for faster response. This dynamic speed adaptation resolves the contradiction between fast response and precise control.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system changes the operating parameter (actuator speed) based on the throwing distance condition. By monitoring the distance and adjusting the speed parameter accordingly, the system achieves both fast response when needed and precise control when the crop is ejected over long distances.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the transfer device is pivoted to adjust the crop jet direction, then the lateral and height adjustment are achieved, but the adjustment becomes slower due to inertia of the entire transfer device
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the direction control function between the transfer device (for coarse lateral and height adjustment) and the ejection flap (for fine directional control). The ejection flap, having low moving mass, provides fast response for precise directional adjustments without the inertia penalty of moving the entire transfer device.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically selects which actuator to use based on the required adjustment. For large adjustments, the transfer device is used; for fine-tuning and rapid corrections, the ejection flap is actuated. This dynamic selection optimizes both adaptability and response speed.
3Productivity
If the ejection flap angle is adjusted at long throwing distances, then a slight angle change causes a large change in throwing distance, but this leads to overcontrol and imprecise adjustment, requiring corrective countermeasures
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the throwing distance and uses this feedback to adjust the actuator speed. When the throwing distance is detected to be large, the system automatically reduces the actuator speed to prevent overcontrol. This feedback mechanism ensures precise impact point control while maintaining efficient adjustment.
Data Source
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AI summary
The system has an actuator (7) for adjusting the direction of ejection of a harvest. The actuator is associated with a transfer device (11), where the harvest is ejected, achieving a throwing distance from the transfer device. A unit is provided for changing the control speed of the actuator, in dependence on the obtained throw distance. The control speed changing unit is coupled to a control unit (16), and is provided with a unit for detecting the obtained throwing distance. The control unit is operated to change the control speed of the actuator depending on the detected throwing distance.