Harvester Divider Angle Control for Consistent Cut Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing harvester headers face challenges in maintaining a constant cut height during changes in the face angle of the feeder housing, leading to uneven crop harvesting.
Innovation Solution
The harvester header incorporates dividers that can be adjusted either collectively or individually in response to changes in the feeder housing face angle, using mechanical linkages and actuators to maintain a constant divider angle and thus a consistent cut height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the feeder housing face angle is adjusted manually using wrenches, then the angle adjustment is achieved, but the adjustment process is time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual wrench-based mechanical adjustment system with an automated actuator system. The actuator automatically adjusts the feeder face angle based on detected row orientation, eliminating the need for manual intervention and significantly reducing adjustment time while improving operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service adjustment by using sensors to detect row orientation and automatically actuating the feeder face to the correct angle. The harvester adjusts itself without operator intervention, making the system self-regulating and eliminating time loss associated with manual adjustments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the divider angle changes when the face angle changes, then the feeder housing adjustment is achieved, but the cut height becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the divider angle is automatically adjusted in response to face angle changes. This dynamic coupling ensures that as the feeder face angle adapts to different row orientations, the divider angle simultaneously adjusts to maintain a constant cut height, resolving the conflict between adaptability and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from angle sensors to detect changes in face angle and automatically actuates the divider to maintain the correct cut height. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that cut height consistency is preserved even as the feeder face angle adapts to varying field conditions.
3Productivity
If multiple dividers are manually repositioned individually, then the crop direction is optimized, but the adjustment complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the adjustment control of multiple dividers into a unified automated system. Instead of requiring individual manual adjustment of each divider, the system uses a centralized control mechanism that simultaneously positions all dividers according to detected row orientation, reducing operational complexity while maintaining harvesting efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated actuator system serves multiple functions: it adjusts the feeder face angle, positions multiple dividers simultaneously, and maintains cut height consistency. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate manual operations into a single automated system, reducing overall complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure relates to a harvester (100) including: a chassis (101); a header (400) carried by the chassis (101), the header (400) including: a header frame (410); at least one harvesting element (420) carried by the header frame (410); and at least one divider (450) pivotably carried by the header frame (410) and defining a divider angle (Dα) relative to the ground plane (GP). The harvester (100) is characterized by a plurality of actuators (460) carried by the header frame (410), each of the plurality of actuators (460) coupling to a respective one of the plurality of dividers (450) and being configured to control the respective divider angle (Dα) of the respectively coupled divider (450).