Harvester Header Flex Limit Control for Side Wing Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing headers for harvesting row crops face mechanical damage and poor ground following due to excessive flexing of side wings, particularly when encountering extreme terrain, leading to issues like wear on skid shoes and flex linkage, and contact with the ground.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for adjusting the flex position of side wing sections on a header by using flex position sensors and a processor to determine when the flex exceeds a threshold, implementing control logic to decrease the flex position and adjust the skid shoe assemblies and header height to maintain optimal operation within the flex range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the side wings are allowed to flex freely to follow terrain, then ground following capability is improved, but mechanical damage and wear occur due to excessive flex
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses flex position sensors to continuously monitor the flex position of side wing sections and provides feedback to a processor. When the flex position exceeds a threshold, the processor activates ground engaging devices to push the side wings downward, reducing flex. This closed-loop feedback control prevents excessive flex while maintaining ground following capability within safe limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system takes preliminary anti-action by detecting when flex is approaching dangerous levels and actively counteracting it before mechanical damage occurs. The ground engaging devices are activated in advance to push the side wings downward when flex position exceeds the threshold, preventing the harmful effect of excessive flex before it causes damage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the flex range is increased to handle extreme terrain, then adaptability is improved, but poor ground following occurs as header pushes or digs into ground
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors flex position continuously and provides feedback control. When flex exceeds the threshold in extreme terrain, the ground engaging devices are activated to push the side wings downward, maintaining proper ground following. This feedback mechanism ensures the header adapts to terrain while preventing digging or pushing into the ground.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the side wings by actively controlling their flex position. When terrain conditions cause excessive flex, the ground engaging devices adjust the flex position parameter by pushing the side wings downward, maintaining optimal operation across varying terrain conditions.
3Reliability
If active control of flex position is implemented, then mechanical damage is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses simple flex position sensors and a processor to monitor and control side wing flex. The feedback mechanism compares actual flex position to a threshold and activates ground engaging devices only when needed, providing mechanical damage prevention through a relatively simple control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the weight of the header and the mechanical advantage of the ground engaging devices to automatically reduce excessive flex without requiring complex active actuators. The control system leverages existing mechanical forces and structures, allowing the system to self-regulate flex position with minimal additional complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for adjusting a header mounted on an agricultural harvester. The header includes a central section and at least one side wing section. The at least one side wing section extends between an inner portion and an outer portion, where the inner portion of the at least one side wing section is pivotally coupled to the central section. A ground engaging device is mounted on the at least one side wing section adjacent the outer portion. The ground engaging device has an adjustable height. The method comprises the steps of determining a flex position of the at least one side wing section relative to the central section, determining whether the flex position of the at least one side wing section exceeds a first threshold, and if it is determined that the flex position of the at least one side wing section exceeds the first threshold, decreasing the flex position.