Harvester Spout Control for Unload-on-the-Go Distance Deviations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for 'unload on the go' operations in harvesters struggle to maintain an acceptable distance range between the harvester and transport vehicle during sudden speed or position changes, leading to crop material loss due to unexpected field conditions.
Innovation Solution
A GPS-based control system that predicts lateral and longitudinal distance deviations and adjusts the harvester spout's operational configuration or shuts it off to prevent material loss, using a microprocessor to transmit control signals for orientation adjustments or emergency shutoff based on real-time distance calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS based auto-guidance system is used to maintain lateral distance between harvester and transport vehicle, then lateral positioning accuracy is improved, but the system cannot respond quickly enough to sudden speed or position changes caused by unexpected field conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by continuously monitoring relative position and speed between harvester and transport vehicle, and pre-calculates required spout adjustments based on predicted future positions. This allows the system to proactively adjust the spout before the actual distance deviation occurs, rather than reacting after the deviation is detected, thereby achieving both high positioning accuracy and fast response to sudden field conditions.
2Measurement precision
If GPS based longitudinal distance control system is used to control distance between two machines, then distance control accuracy is improved, but position synchronization is broken by unexpected field conditions due to insufficiently fast speed or position adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously measuring the actual relative position and speed between harvester and transport vehicle, comparing these measurements with the desired distance setpoints, and using the resulting error signals to dynamically adjust spout position and vehicle speed. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures both accurate distance control and reliable position synchronization even when unexpected field conditions cause sudden changes, as the system constantly adapts to maintain synchronization.
3Productivity
If harvester and transport vehicle operate during unexpected field conditions with sudden speed or position changes, then operational continuity is maintained, but crop material is misdirected and lost on the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies dynamics by making the spout position and orientation adjustable and controllable during operation. When unexpected field conditions cause sudden speed or position changes between harvester and transport vehicle, the control system dynamically adjusts the spout's position and angle in real-time to track the moving target and maintain accurate material delivery, preventing crop loss while preserving operational continuity.
4Measurement precision
If auto-guidance system adjusts speed or position to maintain distance range, then distance maintenance is improved, but the adjustment occurs too slowly to prevent crop material from dropping onto the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by continuously predicting future relative positions based on current speed and position data, and pre-adjusting the spout position and vehicle speed before the actual distance deviation occurs. This proactive approach allows the system to maintain accurate distance control while responding fast enough to prevent crop material loss, as the adjustments are made in advance rather than reactively after deviations occur.
Data Source
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AI summary
A control system and method is provided for controlling the operational configuration of a spout (18) of a harvester (10) being used to perform unload on the go operations with an associated transport vehicle (20). The velocities of the harvester (10) and transport vehicle (20) and the lateral and longitudinal distances (LAD.LOD) between the harvester (10) and transport vehicle (20) are used to predict future lateral and longitudinal distances between the harvester (10) and transport vehicle (20). A control signal is issued to a harvester spout control system if either of the predicted lateral distance or longitudinal distance is outside of an associated acceptable range. The harvester spout control system then either shuts off the spout (18) or changes the orientation of the spout (18) in response to the control signal.