Agricultural Header Load Sensing to Prevent Crop Pushing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combine harvesters require manual intervention by operators to detect and adjust the header height when crop pushing occurs, leading to operator fatigue and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
An automated header height control system with sensors and actuators that detect crop pushing conditions and adjust the header position to prevent pile formation, using load sense systems and controllers to automate the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual intervention is used to detect and adjust header height when crop pushing occurs, then operator control and adaptability are maintained, but operator fatigue increases and harvesting efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the header height control system automatically detects crop pushing conditions through load sensors and adjusts header height without operator intervention. The controller monitors feeder house load and autonomously actuates the header height control, eliminating the need for continuous manual monitoring and adjustment while maintaining adaptive response to crop conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by using load sensors to continuously monitor the feeder house load and communicate this information to the controller. The controller processes this feedback signal and automatically adjusts the header height in response to detected crop pushing conditions, creating a closed-loop control system that responds dynamically to changing crop conditions without operator intervention.
2Productivity
If automated header height control is continuously active, then harvesting efficiency improves and operator workload decreases, but the system may not respond quickly enough to sudden crop pushing conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by continuously monitoring feeder house load through load sensors even before crop pushing conditions fully develop. The controller is primed to detect abnormal load patterns and can proactively adjust header height to prevent crop pushing before it occurs, rather than merely reacting after piles have formed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic action through continuous periodic monitoring of feeder house load by the sensor system. The controller periodically evaluates load signals and automatically actuates header height adjustments at appropriate intervals, ensuring consistent monitoring and timely response to changing crop conditions while maintaining system efficiency.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A header height control system for an agricultural vehicle includes an actuator for moving a header of the agricultural vehicle relative to a chassis of the vehicle, a sensor for detecting a crop pushing condition at the header, and a controller that receives signals from the sensor and is also operably connected to the actuator for activating the actuator. When the sensor detects the crop pushing condition and communicates the crop pushing condition to the controller, the controller is configured to activate the actuator to raise or tilt the header from a starting position and, after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed, return the header back to the starting position.