Harvester Implement Positioning With Oblique Dual Actuators
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural harvesters face challenges in accurately adjusting the position of the harvesting implement to maintain a predetermined height above the field surface due to varying field topography, leading to increased friction and wear on actuators and mounts.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing first and second actuators with an oblique angle configuration between them, controlled by a computing system to extend differing amounts, allowing the harvesting implement to move along two degrees of freedom, reducing friction and improving accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dedicated actuators are used to adjust the position of the harvesting implement along each degree of freedom, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate actuator functions into a single actuator system. One actuator controls both the vertical position and the angular orientation of the harvesting implement by utilizing the geometric relationship between the actuator mounting points and the implement attachment points. This merging reduces the number of actuators from two to one, simplifying the system while maintaining positioning accuracy through computational control of the single actuator's extension length.
2Measurement precision
If multiple actuators are used to control harvesting implement position, then positioning accuracy is improved, but friction and wear on actuators and mounts increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the control functions of two actuators into one, the patent reduces the total number of moving parts, joints, and mounting points. This consolidation directly reduces the cumulative friction and wear that would occur across multiple actuator systems, while the single actuator's extended rod provides sufficient control authority to maintain positioning accuracy through its geometric leverage on the harvesting implement.
3Device complexity
If a single actuator is used to adjust harvesting implement position, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from controlling position through multiple independent actuator extensions to controlling position through a single actuator's extension length combined with the geometric dimensioning of its mounting points. By strategically positioning the actuator's attachment points on both the implement and the harvester frame, the system uses geometric leverage to convert single-actuator linear motion into precise control of both vertical position and angular orientation, effectively adding dimensional control capability without adding actuators.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural harvester includes a frame, a feeder coupled to the frame, and a harvesting implement coupled to the feeder. Furthermore, the agricultural harvester includes a first actuator including an extendible rod, with the first actuator coupled between one of the frame and the feeder or the feeder and the harvesting implement. Moreover, the agricultural harvester includes a second actuator including an extendible rod, with the second actuator coupled between the one of the frame and the feeder or the feeder and the harvesting implement such that an oblique angle is defined between the first and second actuators. In this respect, the rods of the first and second actuators are configured to be extended differing amounts such that harvesting implement is moved relative to the frame along two degrees of freedom.