Harvester Cutter Bar Arm Torque Control via Fluid Biasing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current harvester systems face difficulties in adjusting the forces exerted by the arms of the cutter bar assembly independently, making it challenging to change the cutting dynamics and navigate obstacles effectively during crop harvesting.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a fluid-filled biasing member and an actuator that allows for adjustable connection points between the biasing member and the arms, enabling independent control of the torque and position of each arm, thereby allowing for precise adjustment of the forces exerted on the field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the arms of the cutter bar assembly are fixed in position, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the ability to adjust cutting dynamics and navigate obstacles is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The arm assemblies are made dynamically adjustable through fluid-filled biasing members and actuators, allowing the arms to change position and torque independently during operation. This enables adaptation to field contours and obstacles while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutter bar assembly is divided into multiple independent arm assemblies, each with its own fluid-filled biasing member and actuator. This segmentation allows independent control of each arm, providing adaptability without requiring complex centralized control mechanisms.
2Measurement precision
If multiple actuators are added to control each arm independently, then the precision of force adjustment is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid-filled biasing members provide self-regulating torque control based on fluid pressure, eliminating the need for complex mechanical torque adjustment mechanisms. The system uses the fluid pressure itself to control the arm position and force, simplifying the control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Fluid-filled biasing members are used to control the torque and position of each arm independently. This hydraulic/pneumatic approach provides precise force adjustment without requiring multiple mechanical actuators, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the connection points between biasing members and arms are fixed, then the manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the adaptability to different operating conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connection points between the biasing members and arms are made adjustable rather than fixed, allowing the system to adapt to different operating conditions and crop types. This dynamic adjustability is achieved through movable mounting mechanisms that maintain manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable connection points are pre-configured with multiple possible positions or adjustment ranges, allowing operators to optimize the system for different operating conditions without requiring complex real-time adjustments during manufacturing.
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
This solution allows operators to manually set the force exerted by each arm, improving the harvester's operational efficiency and enabling better adaptation to field contours and obstacles, leading to more precise crop cutting and increased yields.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid-filled biasing member configured to couple to the arm and to impart a torque onto the arm
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural system includes an arm of a header. The arm is configured to rotate about a pivot joint. The agricultural system also includes a fluid-filled biasing member, an actuator, and a controller. The fluid-filled biasing member is configured to couple to the arm and to impart a torque onto the arm. The actuator is coupled to the fluid-filled biasing member and is configured to move the fluid-filled biasing member relative to the actuator to change the torque imparted by the fluid-filled biasing member onto the arm. The controller configured to receive an input indicative of a target flotation pressure of the arm output a signal to instruct the actuator to set a position of the fluid-filled biasing member relative to the actuator based at least in part on the target flotation pressure of the arm.