Harvesting Machine Speed Control via Predictive Crop Occupancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing harvesting machines struggle to adapt to irregular field geometries and sudden changes in crop density, leading to overloading of work organs and reduced productivity due to the inability to predictively adjust driving speed based on expected cutting unit occupancy.
Innovation Solution
The harvesting machine incorporates a control system that processes information from both current harvesting throughput and expected cutting unit occupancy, using detection devices such as satellite reception systems and lidar sensors to adjust driving speed proactively, preventing overloading and optimizing operational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If driving speed is adjusted based on current crop throughput only, then the control system is simple and responsive to actual processing load, but the system cannot predict sudden changes in crop density leading to overloading of working elements
Solution Approach 1:
The detection device measures crop parameters (height, density, moisture) in advance before the crop reaches the cutting unit. This preliminary measurement allows the control system to predict expected crop throughput and adjust driving speed proactively, preventing overloading of working elements before it occurs. The system acts ahead of time based on detected crop characteristics rather than reacting to actual throughput after the fact.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary prediction model is introduced between the detection device and the drive control. This model processes detected crop parameters (height, density, moisture content) to calculate expected crop throughput, which then informs driving speed adjustments. The intermediary translates raw detection data into actionable control decisions, enabling reliable predictive control without requiring direct complex coupling between sensors and actuators.
2Productivity
If driving speed is increased to maximize productivity, then operational efficiency improves, but the risk of overloading working elements increases when crop density changes rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback control loop where the control system continuously receives information from the detection device about crop parameters and adjusts driving speed accordingly. The feedback mechanism compares expected crop throughput (based on detected crop characteristics) with the current driving speed, and dynamically modifies speed to maintain optimal operation without overloading working elements, thus preserving both productivity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving speed is made dynamic rather than fixed. The control system continuously adapts driving speed based on real-time detection of crop parameters and predicted throughput. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maximize productivity when crop conditions permit while automatically reducing speed when crop density increases rapidly, preventing working element overload and maintaining operational reliability.
3Reliability
If driving speed is reduced to prevent overloading, then working elements operate within optimal parameters, but productivity decreases due to inability to maintain optimal speed across varying crop conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different driving speeds to different local crop conditions rather than using a single uniform speed. The detection device measures local crop parameters (height, density, moisture) and the control system adjusts speed locally according to expected throughput for each section. This allows the harvester to maintain optimal working element operation in high-density areas while operating at higher speeds in low-density areas, preserving overall productivity while ensuring reliable operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for timely adjustments in driving speed to match changing crop conditions, reducing the risk of overloading and enhancing operational safety and productivity by anticipating changes in cutting unit occupancy, thereby maintaining work organs within optimal operating parameters.
Implementation Method 1
the harvester comprises a receiving device (10) designed and configured to receive signals for satellite-based location determination
Implementation Method 2
The sensor device can, for example, be formed by a layer height sensor, by means of which the layer height of a crop layer of a crop flow conveyed through the intake channel can be detected
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application relates to a harvesting machine (1) comprising a drive mechanism (2) for moving the harvesting machine (1) at a driving speed across a field (3), a cutting unit (4) for cutting crops located in the field (5), a sensor device (6) for recording information concerning the current crop throughput processed by the harvesting machine (1), and a control system (7) which is designed and configured to control the drive mechanism (2) of the harvesting machine (1) based on the recorded information to adjust the driving speed to a desired setpoint.In order to provide a harvesting machine which has a higher operational reliability compared to the prior art, it is proposed according to the invention that the control (7) is provided and set up to additionally obtain information on an expected cutting unit occupancy in advance (8) of the harvesting machine (1) and to control the drive (2) depending on the expected cutting unit occupancy in order to adjust the driving speed.