Harvester Header Height Control via Speed-Adaptive Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic header height control systems for agricultural harvesters fail to adjust the cut height below the set point, leading to missed crop material on uneven terrain, resulting in lower yields and increased operator involvement.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize ground sensors and a computer to adjust the header's cut height based on ground speed, allowing deviation from the set point by repositioning the header to adjusted cut height thresholds, enabling it to gather more crop material efficiently without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the header maintains a fixed predetermined cut height set point, then the control system is simple and stable, but the header misses crop material on uneven terrain resulting in lower yields
Solution Approach 1:
The header height control system transitions from a static predetermined set point to a dynamic adjusted set point that automatically adapts to terrain variations. The computer calculates adjusted cut height set points based on real-time sensor data detecting ground contour changes, enabling the header to maintain optimal crop gathering position without requiring complex manual intervention or overly complicated control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by using sensors to continuously monitor terrain conditions and header position, then feeding this information back to the computer which automatically adjusts the cut height set point. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the header to respond to uneven terrain and crowns by dynamically modifying the target height, thereby preventing crop material loss while maintaining system simplicity.
2Productivity
If the header automatically adjusts cut height based on terrain, then crop yield improves, but operator involvement increases distracting from yield maximization
Solution Approach 1:
The header height control system operates autonomously by automatically detecting terrain variations through sensors and adjusting the cut height set point without requiring operator intervention. The computer independently processes sensor data and commands the header position adjustments, enabling the system to serve itself and eliminating the need for operators to manually monitor or adjust header height, thereby allowing operators to focus entirely on yield maximization.
3Manufacturing precision
If the header constantly adjusts to maintain desired cut height set point, then cut height precision is maintained, but the header misses crop material due to landscape changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces asymmetric adjustment behavior by allowing the cut height set point to deviate from the predetermined value in one direction (lowering the header) when terrain conditions indicate crop material is available, while maintaining the predetermined set point when terrain is favorable. This asymmetric control strategy prioritizes crop yield over strict height precision in certain conditions, allowing the header to adapt to crowns and swales by selectively adjusting height based on real-time sensor feedback about ground contour and crop presence.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for automatically controlling a cut height of a header (12) of an agricultural harvester (10). The method includes positioning the header to a predetermined cut height set point, measuring a ground speed of the agricultural harvester, measuring a height of the header relative to a ground surface at a plurality of positions along a length of the header. The method further includes lowering the header towards a first adjusted cut height threshold if a measured height of one of the plurality of positions is above the predetermined cut height set point and the measured ground speed is less than a first predetermined ground speed. The subject application allows the automatic header height control software on an agricultural harvester to automatically deviate from the predetermined cut height set point. This allows better control of the header at higher speeds and allows more crop to be gathered without manual intervention.