Combine Harvester Header Stabilization via IMU
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional header height control systems for combine harvesters fail to effectively compensate for vertical and lateral disturbances, leading to inconsistent header heights due to uneven ground and vehicle movements, which can result in reduced harvest yield or header damage.
Innovation Solution
A header stabilization control system that uses inertial measurement units to detect vertical and lateral tilt disturbances, generating control signals to adjust the header's position and orientation through actuators, ensuring consistent height and reducing disturbances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional header height control systems use height sensors to automatically raise and lower the header, then header height control is improved, but the system does not account for vertical disturbances from the carrier vehicle or lateral tilt disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing capabilities (vertical acceleration sensing, lateral tilt sensing, and header height measurement) into a unified control system. The inertial measurement unit integrates both vertical and lateral disturbance detection, merging previously separate control functions into a single comprehensive stabilization system that processes multiple disturbance sources simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The inertial measurement unit acts as an intermediary device that detects disturbances before they affect header height. By measuring vertical acceleration and lateral tilt as intermediate parameters, the system can predict and compensate for header position changes before they occur, providing proactive stabilization rather than reactive correction.
2Productivity
If the header maintains a particular height to ensure harvest yield, then productivity is improved, but the header may be damaged on uneven ground
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts header height in real-time based on measured disturbances rather than maintaining a fixed preset height. The control system continuously modifies header position in response to vertical acceleration and lateral tilt measurements, allowing the header to adapt to uneven ground conditions while maintaining optimal harvesting height on relatively flat surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary counteracting forces through the actuators to prevent header damage before it occurs. By detecting vertical disturbances and lateral tilt in advance, the control system activates actuators to offset disturbing forces before they can cause excessive header contact with the ground or structural damage.
3Measurement precision
If the header is lowered to compensate for uneven ground, then header height control is improved, but harvest yield may be reduced due to excessive height adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies differential control to different sections of the header by independently actuating left and right sides based on their respective lateral tilt measurements. This localized control allows each side of the header to maintain optimal harvesting height independently, preventing excessive height reduction on one side while compensating for local ground variations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively stabilizes the header by compensating for vertical and lateral disturbances, maintaining optimal height and reducing the risk of damage or yield loss, thereby enhancing harvesting efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A vertical disturbance signal indicative of a vertical disturbance on the header and a lateral tilt disturbance signal indicative of a lateral tilt disturbance on the header are received from one or more sensors disposed on the header
Implementation Method 2
the lateral tilt disturbance signal represents an angular velocity of the header in a rotational direction about the pivot joint
Implementation Method 3
One or more control signals are transmitted to one or more actuators to vertically displace the header based on the compensated vertical displacement value to compensate for the vertical disturbance
Implementation Method 4
to rotationally displace the header about a pivot joint based on the compensated lateral tilt disturbance value to compensate for the lateral tilt disturbance
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for stabilizing a header of a combine harvester are provided. A vertical disturbance signal indicative of a vertical disturbance on the header and a lateral tilt disturbance signal indicative of a lateral tilt disturbance on the header are received from one or more sensors disposed on the header. A compensated vertical displacement value is determined based on the vertical disturbance signal and a compensated lateral tilt displacement value is determined based on the lateral tilt disturbance signal. One or more control signals are transmitted to one or more actuators to vertically displace the header based on the compensated vertical displacement value to compensate for the vertical disturbance and to rotationally displace the header about a pivot joint based on the compensated lateral tilt disturbance signal to compensate for the lateral tilt disturbance.