Elastic Row Sensing for Automatic High-Stem Harvester Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
High stem crop harvesters require manual driver adjustments for precise row alignment, leading to increased operation costs, extended operation time, and decreased efficiency and precision due to driver fatigue.
Innovation Solution
An automatic row alignment driving system for high stem crop harvesters, utilizing an elastic row sensing module with sensors to detect crop contact and deformation, processing the data to determine alignment states, and controlling the harvester's steering for precise alignment without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual operation is used to constantly adjust forward direction for precise harvesting, then harvesting precision is maintained, but operation cost increases and operation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The harvester is equipped with a row alignment system that automatically detects row position and controls steering without continuous manual intervention. The system uses sensors to monitor alignment and the controller to adjust direction, enabling the machine to serve itself in maintaining precise harvesting while reducing driver workload and improving operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical steering control with an automated system combining sensors, processors, and electronic steering control. This substitution eliminates the need for constant manual adjustment while maintaining harvesting precision, thereby improving operation efficiency and reducing operational costs.
2Reliability
If manual operation is used to constantly adjust forward direction, then alignment can be maintained, but operation time extends and driver exhaustion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The automated row alignment system operates continuously without interruption, constantly monitoring row position and adjusting steering to maintain alignment. This continuous automatic operation eliminates the periodic manual adjustments that extend operation time, ensuring reliable alignment maintenance while reducing total operation duration and driver fatigue.
3Measurement precision
If the driver observes harvesting conditions and progress continuously, then operation precision is maintained, but workload increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the functions of observing harvesting conditions, detecting row position, and controlling steering from the driver and assigns them to automated systems including sensors, processors, and electronic controllers. This extraction maintains operation precision through continuous automated monitoring while significantly reducing driver workload to essential supervisory tasks.
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 reduces driver workload, improves harvesting efficiency, and ensures accurate crop alignment, enhancing overall operation precision and reducing manual re-alignment needs.
Implementation Method 1
the elastomers are deformed by physical contact with the high stem crop, and the sensors are configured to detect deformation of the elastomers and generate the contact data
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for automatic row alignment driving by a harvester when harvesting above-ground crops includes an elastic row sensing module (100), a processing module (200), a controlling module (300), and a steering module (400). The elastic row sensing module is disposed on a front grain thresher/grain isolator of the harvester (1000), collecting data as to physical contact with the crop (000). The elastic row sensing module (100) includes a deformable elastomer (104) in contact with the high stem crop (000), the sensor (107) detects and reports deformation of the elastomer (S510). The processing module (200) determines current alignment state of the harvester (S520) and the controlling module (300) determines any corrective steering signal for the harvester (S530). The steering module controls steering direction (S540).