Agricultural Control Unit for Crop Jam Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural working machines face challenges in operating units such as front attachments and feeder channels, where crop jams occur frequently, requiring manual intervention and are cumbersome for operators, especially with wider headers, leading to labor-intensive and uncomfortable operations.
Innovation Solution
A control unit with two operating switches allows intuitive and comfortable operation of agricultural working machines, enabling switching between multiple modes, including normal, slow, and reversing operations, with sensors for electronic control and safety features, allowing operators to manage units from the cab without manual handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate push button and toggle switch are provided for switching the attachment on and reversing it, then the attachment can be controlled with dedicated switches, but the operator must change operating hands making the operation uncomfortable and not intuitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of switching the attachment on and reversing it into a single toggle switch. The toggle switch has three positions: off, on, and reverse. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate switches and allows the operator to control both functions with one hand, improving ease of operation while maintaining reliable control of the attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The single toggle switch is designed to perform multiple functions: switching the attachment off, switching it on, and reversing its direction. This multi-functional design reduces the number of controls needed and allows intuitive operation with one hand, resolving the contradiction between reliable control and operator comfort
2Productivity
If the header width is increased to achieve high work output, then the yield is maximized, but the amount of crop transported in the header increases leading to more frequent crop jams requiring manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the operator to clear crop jams from the driver's cab using the control unit, without needing to manually intervene at the header. The control unit can activate the attachment or feeder channel to reverse or operate at reduced speed to clear the jam automatically. This self-service capability maintains high productivity with wide headers while eliminating the need for manual labor to clear jams
3Productivity
If the attachment operates at high speed to maximize yield, then productivity is improved, but crop jams occur more frequently and require manual clearing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by enabling the operator to alternately operate the attachment at normal speed and reduced speed, or to reverse it, directly from the driver's cab using the control unit. This periodic variation in operation mode helps prevent crop jams by disrupting continuous high-speed operation that leads to jamming, while maintaining overall high productivity through quick response to jam conditions
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
The present invention relates to an operating unit (51) for an agricultural machine (2) comprising a first operating switch (531) and a second operating switch (532) for switching between different operating modes (BN, BA, BR, BG) of an assembly (1) of the machine (2), wherein the first operating switch (531) is adjustable from a basic position (G) to a first switching position (E1) and back, or from the basic position (G) to a second switching position (A1) and back, wherein the second operating switch (532) is adjustable from an off position (A2) to an on position (E2) and back, and wherein the switching positions (E1, A1, E2, A2) of the operating switches (531, 532) are assigned a switching function for switching the assembly (1) into an operating mode, and wherein the second operating switch (532) is a changeover switch for switching the switching functions of the first operating switch (531) is.The present invention also relates to an operating console (50) with such an operating unit (51), an agricultural machine (2) with the operating console (50) and a method for resolving a material jam in an agricultural machine.