Harvester Head Speed Control During Turns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Harvester implements face issues during turns due to the large head width, where the radial outward end of the harvester head exceeds the maximum allowable harvest speed, leading to potential malfunction or plugging.
Innovation Solution
A controller system with sensors and a speed control algorithm is implemented to monitor and adjust the traction unit's speed, ensuring both lateral edges of the harvester head operate at or below the maximum allowable harvest speed by calculating a reduced traction unit ground speed during turns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the harvester head has a large head width to span across the field, then the harvesting coverage is improved, but the radial outward end of the harvester head exceeds the maximum allowable harvest speed during turns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the harvester head's operational speed adaptive rather than fixed. The control system continuously monitors the ground speed of different portions of the harvester head during turns and dynamically adjusts the traction unit's speed to keep all portions within the maximum allowable harvest speed. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing the large head width to maintain harvesting coverage while preventing any portion from exceeding speed limits during turning maneuvers.
2Productivity
If the traction unit travels at high ground speed to maintain productivity, then the harvesting efficiency is improved, but the radial outward end of the harvester head exceeds the maximum allowable harvest speed during turns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by using sensors to continuously measure the ground speed of the harvester head portions and feeding this information back to the control system. The control system compares the measured speeds against the maximum allowable harvest speed and automatically adjusts the traction unit's speed accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that productivity is maintained as high as possible without exceeding speed limits that would cause malfunction or plugging, thus resolving the contradiction between harvesting efficiency and operational stability.
3Area of stationary object
If the harvester head spans a large head width perpendicular to the traction unit, then the harvesting coverage is improved, but the radial outward end is accelerated to increased velocity through turns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the control system continuously calculate and predict the ground speeds of different harvester head portions based on the current turning radius and traction unit speed. Before the radial outward end actually exceeds the maximum allowable speed, the control system has already determined the appropriate speed reduction needed and prepares to adjust the traction unit's speed. This proactive approach allows the large head width to maintain coverage while preventing excessive velocity acceleration during turns.
Data Source
AI summary
A harvester implement includes a traction unit and a harvester head having a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. A controller determines a first ground speed of the first lateral edge and a second ground speed of the second lateral edge. The controller may then determine if either the first ground speed or the second ground speed is greater than a maximum allowable harvest speed, such as may occur when executing a turn. When one of the first ground speed or the second ground speed of the harvester head is greater than the maximum allowable harvest speed, the controller may then control a drive system of the traction unit to decrease the ground speed from an initial traction unit ground speed to a reduced traction unit ground speed so that both the first and second lateral edges of the harvester head stay below the maximum allowable harvest speed.