Combine Header Control for Cutting Height and Angle Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current combine harvester headers lack an efficient control system for dynamically adjusting cutting height and header angle during operation, which is essential for adapting to varying crop conditions and ground contours.
Innovation Solution
A header assembly with ground-engaging gauge wheels and a control system that allows the driver to adjust the cutting height and header angle using programmable actuators and sensors, ensuring the header maintains a consistent float distance from the ground and adjusts weight distribution between the feeder house and gauge wheels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of cutting height and header angle is used, then the header can be adjusted to different positions, but the driver cannot control these parameters efficiently during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment mechanisms with an electronic control system that uses sensors to detect gauge wheel position and header angle, processes this information through a control unit, and actuates hydraulic cylinders to automatically adjust the header. This substitution enables the driver to control cutting height and header angle efficiently from the cab without manual intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the header is mounted rigidly to the feeder house, then the header position is stable, but the header cannot adapt to varying ground contours and crop conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic mounting system where the header can be adjusted in real-time during operation. Hydraulic cylinders connected to the gauge wheels and header mounting points enable continuous adjustment of cutting height and header angle, allowing the header to adapt to varying ground contours and crop conditions while maintaining operational stability through active control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs sensors that detect the position of the gauge wheels and header angle, feeding this information back to a control unit. The control unit processes this feedback and automatically adjusts the header position via hydraulic actuators, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains stable operation while adapting to changing conditions.
3Ease of operation
If the header weight is fixed, then the structure is simple, but the gauge wheels cannot maintain optimal contact with the ground during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses sensors to detect the position of the gauge wheels relative to the ground and feeds this information back to a control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit automatically adjusts the header position via hydraulic actuators to maintain the optimal float distance, ensuring the gauge wheels remain in proper contact with the ground without requiring complex manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system automatically adjusts the header position based on sensor feedback from the gauge wheel position, enabling the system to self-regulate and maintain optimal operating conditions without requiring constant driver intervention or complex manual adjustments.
Data Source
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AI summary
A header assembly for a combine harvester includes a header carried by an adapter on the feeder house of the combine controlling an angle of the header defined by a tilt cylinder and height of the header at the feeder house. Wings of the header are carried on gauge wheels the height of which relative to the header frame can be adjusted by cylinders. A driver interface inside the cab includes inputs to be set by the driver of cutter bar height and header angle. These are converted by the controller program into inputs for the tilt cylinder and the gauge wheel cylinders.