Forestry Harvester Tool Boom Control for Stem-Aligned Feeding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing forestry work vehicles face challenges in automating the felling and processing of tree stems, leading to operator fatigue, increased wear, and power consumption due to manual control of the boom assembly and harvester tool, which results in uneven force distribution on the knives and potential damage to the wood.
Innovation Solution
A work vehicle system with sensors and a CPU that automatically control the boom assembly and harvester tool movements based on stem position, diameter, and tree type, using a feed following boom assembly control to maintain a constant speed and direction aligned with the stem axis, minimizing force on the knives and reducing manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual control of the boom assembly and harvester tool is used, then operator flexibility is maintained, but operator fatigue increases and wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the harvester tool and boom assembly automatically adjust their positions and operations based on sensor feedback. The control unit processes data from sensors monitoring stem position, diameter, and tree type to autonomously control the harvesting process, eliminating the need for continuous manual operator intervention and reducing fatigue.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple sensors are integrated into the system to continuously monitor stem position, diameter, and tree type. This feedback information is processed by the control unit to automatically adjust the harvester tool's movements and operations, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains optimal harvesting conditions without manual intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual control of the boom assembly is used, then adaptability to different tree conditions is maintained, but wear and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically adjusts operational parameters such as boom angle, harvester tool position, and knife closure force based on sensor-detected tree conditions. The control unit modifies these parameters in real-time to match the specific stem diameter, position, and tree type, optimizing the harvesting process while reducing energy consumption and wear compared to manual adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical control of the boom assembly and harvester tool is replaced with an automated control system that uses sensors and electronic signals. The control unit processes sensor data and sends commands to actuators to automatically position and operate the harvesting components, reducing energy consumption and wear while maintaining adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If manual control of the harvester tool is used, then operational flexibility is maintained, but force distribution on knives becomes uneven and wood quality decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors monitor the position and conditions of the stem in real-time, providing feedback to the control unit. This feedback enables automatic adjustment of the harvester tool's position and knife closure force to ensure even force distribution across all knives, preventing wood damage while maintaining operational flexibility through automated adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The harvester tool and boom assembly are designed with dynamic control capabilities, allowing real-time adjustment of positions and forces based on sensor input. This dynamic system automatically adapts to changing stem conditions, ensuring uniform force distribution on the knives and preventing wood damage that occurs with static or manual control.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed system for a work vehicle is adapted to realize a movement of a boom assembly during a feed process of the work vehicle. The vehicle comprises a boom assembly having a slewing device, a boom tip having a rotator and an extension boom. The boom assembly is adapted to rotate a connected working device around a vertical axis, wherein the working device is a harvester tool. The system controlling the boom assembly comprises movement of the stem through the harvester tool during feeding over the ground and is at least partly compensated by movement of the boom tip, wherein the movement is in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the stem.