Draper Header Side-Segment Control for Ground Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-propelled combine harvesters with multi-section draper headers face challenges in maintaining sufficient ground clearance during operation in hilly conditions, particularly when manually adjusting side segments, leading to unnecessary wear and requiring operator intervention for precise control.
Innovation Solution
A self-propelled combine harvester with a pivotable feed chute and controllable actuators, equipped with sensors and a control unit, automatically adjusts side segments relative to the central segment based on height adjustments, allowing intuitive and ergonomic operation through a single control element, and enabling automatic or manual override for optimal ground clearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the side segments are manually raised to the center position using a multifunction handle, then the draper header can be lifted, but the operator must continuously monitor and adjust the control unit, increasing operational complexity and attention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically manages the side segment positioning and cutterbar swing control without requiring continuous operator intervention. The system self-adjusts based on sensor input, eliminating the need for the operator to continuously monitor and manually adjust control settings during the header raising process.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors detect the height position of the draper header and provide feedback signals to the control unit. The control unit uses this feedback information to automatically determine when to activate the side segment positioning and cutterbar swing control, enabling automatic response to changing operational conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the side segments are swung out far upwards relative to the center segment to navigate headlands, then ground clearance is improved, but wear on the cutterbar increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the side segment position and cutterbar swing angle based on real-time sensor feedback. Rather than maintaining a fixed extreme position, the control unit continuously optimizes the configuration to provide necessary ground clearance while minimizing cutterbar wear through controlled, adaptive movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit changes operational parameters (side segment angle, cutterbar swing angle) based on detected header height and operational conditions. This allows the system to optimize the balance between ground clearance and cutterbar protection by adjusting parameters rather than maintaining fixed extreme positions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the operator manually adjusts the side segments beyond the center position, then ground clearance is increased for hilly conditions, but additional interaction with the control unit is required
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically manages the side segment positioning beyond the center position based on sensor feedback. The system performs the complex positioning task itself without requiring the operator to manually interact with control settings, maintaining operational simplicity while achieving necessary ground clearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary between the operator's simple raise command and the complex multi-segment positioning requirements. It translates the basic header raise operation into coordinated automatic positioning of side segments and cutterbar, eliminating the need for direct operator involvement in complex adjustments.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a self-propelled combine harvester (32) comprising a feed chute (12) which is pivotably mounted on the combine harvester (32) about a horizontal axis (13) for height adjustment by means of linear actuators, and a belt cutter (1) arranged on the feed chute (12), which has a central segment (3) with a central frame segment (2) and two side segments (4) each with an outer frame segment (2A, 2B), wherein the respective side segment (4) is pivotably connected to the central segment (3) by a frame joint (15) comprising a pivot axis (14), wherein the respective side segment (4) can be positioned relative to the central segment (3) by means of a controllable actuator (16), wherein the combine harvester (32) comprises a control unit (20) which is designed and configured to control the actuators (16).to align the side segments (4) relative to the center segment (3) depending on the height adjustment of the feed channel (12) when raising the belt cutter (1).