Harvester Header Control With Sensor Conversion for Dual Headers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing harvesters are limited to using either a rigid header or a segmented header, as the controller is not compatible with sensor information from both types, making it difficult to retrofit or change headers without modifying the harvester's control system.
Innovation Solution
A control system that includes a first controller for the harvester and a second controller for the segmented header, converting sensor information from the segmented header into data readable by the first controller, allowing the use of either header type without modifying the harvester's existing control system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the harvester uses a rigid header or segmented header with existing controller, then the control system is simple and reliable, but the adaptability to different header types is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sensor information conversion module as an intermediary between the segmented header sensors and the harvester controller. This module converts sensor information from segmented header format to rigid header format, enabling the existing controller to work with both header types without modification. The conversion module acts as a translator that resolves the incompatibility between different sensor information formats.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter format of sensor information through the conversion module. By transforming segmented header sensor data into rigid header sensor data format, the system maintains parameter compatibility with the existing controller. This parameter transformation allows the same controller to handle different header types by adjusting the data representation rather than the hardware architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the harvester controller is modified to support both header types, then the adaptability improves, but the ease of manufacture and retrofitting deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The conversion module serves as an external intermediary that can be added without modifying the existing controller hardware. This approach allows retrofitting of segmented headers onto harvesters originally designed for rigid headers, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving dual header type support. The intermediary handles the complexity of format conversion separately from the main controller.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the control system into two independent parts: the existing harvester controller and the new sensor information conversion module. This segmentation allows the conversion functionality to be added as a separate component, simplifying manufacturing and retrofitting processes. Each module maintains its own functionality, making the system more modular and easier to manufacture.
3Productivity
If the controller is designed to work with only one header type, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity and harvesting efficiency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The conversion module enables the controller to work with both rigid and segmented headers without increasing controller architecture complexity. By placing the conversion logic in a separate intermediary module, the system achieves enhanced productivity through header type flexibility while maintaining simple controller design. The intermediary handles all format conversion, keeping the main controller architecture unchanged.
Data Source
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AI summary
A control system for an agricultural system includes a first controller configured to receive sensor information from a plurality of sensors, in which the sensor information is indicative of a height of a header of the agricultural system, and the first controller is configured to convert the sensor information into position data. The control system further includes a second controller communicatively coupled to the first controller, in which the second controller is configured to receive the position data from the first controller, and the second controller is configured to determine a target position of the header based on the position data.