Header Float Arm Hydraulic Control for Ground Contour Following
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hinged draper headers experience issues with float arms lifting and engaging with the ground during harvesting, leading to damage to the field and headers due to the formation of ruts and potential engagement with the ground.
Innovation Solution
A system for controlling float arms between locked and unlocked configurations using pressurized fluid sources and proportional valves to manage the angular position and weight transfer, preventing engagement with the ground and maintaining harvest quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If float arms are allowed to flex and move freely to conform to ground contours, then harvest quality is improved, but the float arms may engage with the ground causing damage to field and headers
Solution Approach 1:
The float arm control system dynamically transitions the float arms between locked and unlocked configurations based on operational conditions. The system uses a control valve to regulate pressurized fluid to an actuator, enabling the float arms to adapt their state (locked for ground following, unlocked for lifting) rather than maintaining a fixed configuration, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and ground engagement prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state parameter of the float arms by using pressurized fluid to move them between locked and unlocked positions. The control valve adjusts fluid pressure to the actuator, changing the positional parameter of the float arms to prevent ground engagement while maintaining cutter bar conformity when needed
2Object-affected harmful factors
If float arms are locked in retracted position, then ground engagement is prevented, but the cutter bar cannot flex to follow ground contours
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between locked and unlocked float arm configurations based on operational needs. The control valve responds to operator input or sensor data to transition the float arms between states, enabling the cutter bar to be rigid when preventing ground engagement is prioritized and flexible when ground conformity is needed
3Device complexity
If manual control of float arms is used, then system complexity is reduced, but operator workload increases and response time decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically monitors operational parameters and self-regulates float arm positioning without requiring continuous manual intervention. The system uses sensors to detect conditions such as cutter bar position and ground contact, then autonomously actuates the control valve to adjust float arm configuration, reducing operator workload while maintaining appropriate float arm positioning
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 effectively controls float arm position and weight transfer, reducing the risk of damage to the field and headers by allowing the cutter bar to conform to ground contours while maintaining harvest quality.
Implementation Method 1
a first source of pressurized fluid in communication with the first valve, the first source of pressurized fluid including a first fluid at a first fluid pressure
Implementation Method 2
a second source of pressurized fluid in communication with the first valve, the second source of pressurized fluid including a second fluid at a second fluid pressure
Implementation Method 3
a second valve in fluid communication with the second source of pressurized fluid. The second valve is configured to adjust a fluid pressure at the first location along a pressure range
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a system for controlling a position of one or more float arms in a locked configuration or an unlocked configuration. The system comprises a float arm (302) that is movably attached to a header frame (304). The system comprises a first source of pressurized fluid (507) and a second source of pressurized fluid (509). The pressure at a first location (1304) is controlled through a first valve (504) for selectively applying either the fluid from the first pressure source (507) or the fluid from the second pressure source (509), while the second valve (1302) being configured to adjust a fluid pressure at said first location (1304) along a pressure range.