Harvester Cutting Table Length Control via Crop Height Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of combine harvesters face challenges in manually adjusting the cutting table length of cutting units to optimize crop intake, leading to uneven feeding and potential crop jams, which affects the efficiency of the threshing and cleaning processes.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for automatically controlling the cutting table length using sensors to detect crop height and dynamics, allowing for dynamic adaptation of the cutting table length to ensure even crop distribution and alignment, thereby relieving the operator of manual adjustments and improving crop feeding efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the cutting table length is manually adjusted by the operator, then the operator can adapt to changing harvesting conditions, but the operator's workload increases and adjustments may not be timely or precise
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment of the cutting table length by automatically detecting crop height with sensors and controlling the actuator without operator intervention. The control device autonomously processes sensor signals and adjusts the cutting table length based on detected crop conditions, eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining adaptability to varying harvest conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical adjustment system is replaced with an automated control system that uses sensors to detect crop height and a control device to actuate the cutting table length. This substitutes human-operated mechanical adjustment with an automated sensing and control mechanism, reducing operator workload while improving precision and timeliness of adjustments
2Device complexity
If the cutting table length is fixed, then the device structure is simpler, but the crop intake becomes uneven and causes jams
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting table length is transformed from a fixed parameter to a dynamic one that automatically adjusts based on crop height detection. The system continuously monitors crop conditions and varies the cutting table length in real-time to optimize crop intake, preventing jams and ensuring even feeding to the threshing device while maintaining relatively simple device structure through automated control
3Ease of operation
If the cutting table length is not adjusted, then the operation is simpler, but grain loss increases due to uneven crop feed
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where sensors detect crop height and feed this information to the control device, which automatically adjusts the cutting table length to optimize crop intake. This closed-loop control ensures even crop feeding to the threshing device, minimizing grain loss while maintaining operation simplicity through automated adjustment based on real-time crop conditions
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for operating a cutting unit (2), wherein the cutting unit (2) comprises a cutting table (8) with a controllable actuator (31) by which a cutting table length (28) is changed, lateral side walls (14) arranged substantially orthogonally to the cutting table (8) by which the cutting table (8) is bounded, and at least one intake screw (9) extending between the side walls (14) by which harvested material (3) is conveyed in a transverse direction to an outlet opening in the central region of the cutting unit (2), wherein the height of harvested material (3) immediately in front of the intake screw (9) is detected by at least one sensor (30) arranged above the cutting table (8) and in front of the intake screw (9).and that the signals from at least one sensor (30) are evaluated by a control unit (25) and used for the automatic control of the actuators (31) for adapting the cutting table length (28) depending on the detected height.