Contactless Harvesting Header Control via Field Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated systems for controlling harvesting headers in agricultural machines are prone to errors due to the need for multiple sensors and mechanical measurements, leading to complex coordinate transformations and potential inaccuracies in adjusting work parameters like header height and reel position.
Innovation Solution
An open-loop automatic header control system using contact-less sensing arrangements mounted relative to each other, eliminating the need for complex coordinate transformations by using a first sensing arrangement to detect field properties and a second sensing arrangement to derive adjustable work parameters, with a control unit determining control signals based on these inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If multiple sensors and mechanical measurements are used for automated header control, then automation extent is improved, but device complexity increases and measurement precision deteriorates due to coordinate transformation errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex coordinate transformation component from the control system. By using a single sensing arrangement that directly measures header parameters without requiring transformation between different reference frames, the system removes a major source of complexity and potential error while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing arrangement is designed to perform multiple measurement functions simultaneously - measuring header height, angle, and position using a single integrated system rather than multiple separate sensors requiring coordination and coordinate transformations between them.
2Extent of automation
If multiple sensors and mechanical measurements are used for automated header control, then automation extent is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to coordinate transformation errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the coordinate transformation step from the measurement and control process. By directly measuring parameters in the desired reference frame, the system eliminates transformation errors that would otherwise degrade measurement precision while maintaining full automation capability.
3Measurement precision
If feedback sensors on the header are used, then control accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing arrangement performs multiple detection functions with a single system, eliminating the need for separate feedback sensors on the header. The unified approach provides accurate measurement of multiple parameters simultaneously without increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling an operative parameter of a harvesting header of an agricultural harvesting machine comprises a first sensing arrangement for sensing a property of a field in front of the header in a contact-less manner, a second sensing arrangement for providing a signal suited to derive a value of an adjustable work parameter of the header, an actuator for adjusting the work parameter, and a control unit for determining a control signal for the actuator based on the signal from the first sensing arrangement and on the signal from the second sensing arrangement. The second sensing arrangement is arranged to detect the position of a reference point, which indicates the work parameter, in a contact-less manner, and that the first sensing arrangement and the second sensing arrangement are relatively fixed.