Harvester Implement Position Control via Sensor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural harvester systems face challenges in accurately controlling and displaying the position of the harvester implement, particularly in maintaining a constant cutting height across varying field contours.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize sensors to monitor the position of the harvester implement and adjust its position using actuators, while displaying a graphical user interface to the operator showing the current position relative to a reference position, ensuring a consistent cutting height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If automatic header height control system is used to maintain constant cutting height, then manufacturing precision of cutting height is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple sensors and electronically controlled cylinders
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a sensor to detect the actual header height position and feeds this information back to the control system. The controller compares the detected position with the target position and automatically adjusts the header height via the electronically controlled cylinder to maintain constant cutting height, resolving the contradiction by implementing closed-loop feedback control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical height adjustment with an electronically controlled cylinder system. The electronic control system substitutes for traditional mechanical linkages and manual operation, enabling automated header height control while reducing the need for complex mechanical components.
2Ease of operation
If automatic header height control system is implemented, then ease of operation is improved by reducing operator involvement, but loss of information occurs as operator cannot easily determine current header position
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides visual feedback to the operator through a display device that shows the current header height position and the target position. This feedback loop keeps the operator informed about the automated system's status, resolving the information loss while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The display device acts as an intermediary between the automated control system and the operator. It translates the complex sensor and actuator operations into simple visual information about header position, allowing the operator to monitor the system without manual involvement in the control process.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and actuators are used for automatic header control, then measurement precision of header position is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is positioned at a specific location on the header to detect height position with high precision. By concentrating the measurement function at a critical point rather than using multiple distributed sensors, the system achieves accurate header position detection while minimizing the number of components required.
Data Source
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AI summary
System (100) and corresponding method for controlling harvesting implement position of an agricultural harvester (10) includes a harvesting implement (34) configured to be coupled to the harvester to permit adjustment of a current position of the implement relative to a field surface; a sensor (116) configured to capture data indicative of the current position of the implement relative to the field surface; a display device (126), and a controller (120) communicatively coupled to the sensor and the display device. The controller is configured to monitor the current position of the implement based on the data captured by the sensor. The controller is further configured to initiate display of a graphical user interface on the display device, with the graphical user interface displaying a first interface element (132) associated with the current position of the implement relative to a second interface element (134) associated with a reference position of the implement.