Harvester Cutter Bar Load Sensing and Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural harvesting machines face challenges in monitoring and adjusting operational parameters effectively, leading to inefficiencies in crop collection and processing, particularly due to the complexity of managing cutter bar loads during the harvesting process.

Innovation Solution

A harvesting control system equipped with cutter bar load sensors and a controller that monitors cutter bar load values and adjusts operational parameters such as engine power, header position, feederhouse speed, and cleaning subsystems to optimize crop collection and processing based on real-time load data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual monitoring and adjustment of operational parameters is used, then operator control flexibility is maintained, but harvesting efficiency and responsiveness to cutter bar load changes deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharvesting efficiencyVSAvoidoperator control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control system automatically monitors cutter bar load via sensors and adjusts operational parameters without requiring continuous manual intervention from the operator. The system serves itself by detecting load changes and autonomously modifying implement settings to maintain optimal harvesting conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors cutter bar load through sensors and uses this feedback information to automatically adjust operational parameters. The feedback loop enables real-time responsiveness to changing harvesting conditions, improving efficiency while reducing the need for manual parameter management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If multiple operational parameters are manually adjusted to optimize performance, then harvesting performance can be improved, but the complexity of managing these parameters increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharvesting performanceVSAvoidparameter management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines multiple operational parameter controls into a single integrated automated system. Instead of requiring separate manual adjustments for each parameter, the control system merges these functions and coordinates them automatically based on cutter bar load conditions, reducing management complexity while maintaining performance optimization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If real-time monitoring of cutter bar load is implemented, then responsiveness to load changes improves, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponsiveness to load changesVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex mechanical monitoring mechanisms with electronic sensors and digital control systems. This substitution enables precise real-time monitoring of cutter bar load with simpler, more reliable electronic components that can be integrated into existing harvesters without requiring complex mechanical modifications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 enhances crop collection efficiency by automatically adjusting operational parameters, reducing operator workload and improving the overall performance of harvesting machines by ensuring optimal processing conditions based on cutter bar load values.

Implementation Method 1

at least one cutter bar load sensor arranged on the header and configured to collect cutter bar load data representing a load on the cutter bar resulting from cutting the crops

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStrain gauge measurement: Piezoresistive Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11246264B2Harvesting control system with cutter bar load sensing

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 DEERE & CO

AI summary

A harvesting machine includes a chassis; an engine to propel the harvesting machine; a header mounted on a front of the chassis; a cutter bar arranged on the header to cut crops during operation of the harvesting machine; a plurality of implements on the chassis configured to facilitate processing the crops cut by the cutter bar; at least one cutter bar load sensor arranged on the header and configured to collect cutter bar load data representing a load on the cutter bar resulting from cutting the crops; and a controller operatively coupled to the at least one cutter bar sensor. The controller is configured to receive the cutter bar load data, determine a cutter bar load value based on the cutter bar load data, and generate an adjustment command for an operational parameter associated with at least one of the implements based on the cutter bar load value.