Harvester Unloading Control for Breakthrough Pass Vehicle Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
During agricultural harvesting, especially during breakthrough passes, it is challenging for harvester and receiving vehicle systems to maintain desired spacing, leading to inefficiencies and reduced productivity due to the need for the receiving vehicle to wait or the harvester to stop for unloading.
Innovation Solution
A control system that synchronizes the operation of the harvester and receiving vehicle, allowing the receiving vehicle to travel close enough to the harvester to unload behind the harvesting head during breakthrough passes, without driving over unharvested crops or obstacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the receiving vehicle travels alongside the harvester during breakthrough passes, then unloading can occur continuously, but the receiving vehicle may drive over unharvested crops or obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from two-dimensional lateral positioning to three-dimensional positioning by incorporating longitudinal distance control behind the harvester. The receiving vehicle positions itself in the rearward space behind the harvesting head, utilizing the third dimension (distance along the direction of travel) to avoid crop damage while maintaining unloading capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs real-time feedback through monitoring systems that detect the position of the receiving vehicle relative to the harvester and the location of unharvested crops. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of vehicle position and speed to prevent crop damage while maintaining continuous unloading operations.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the receiving vehicle waits for the harvester to stop during breakthrough passes, then crop damage is avoided, but harvesting productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous unloading operations during breakthrough passes by coordinating the movement of the receiving vehicle with the harvester. The receiving vehicle travels alongside the harvester at matched speeds, allowing the auger to continuously transfer grain without interruption, thereby eliminating waiting time and maintaining harvesting productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic positioning and speed adjustment of the receiving vehicle to adapt to the harvester's movement during breakthrough passes. Both vehicles can adjust their speeds and positions in real-time to maintain optimal spacing, enabling continuous operation without fixed stopping points.
3Productivity
If the receiving vehicle travels close to the harvester for unloading, then unloading efficiency improves, but the risk of collision or improper spacing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses monitoring systems to continuously track the relative position and speed of the receiving vehicle and harvester. This feedback enables real-time adjustments to maintain safe and optimal spacing, preventing collisions while ensuring efficient unloading operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary between the harvester and receiving vehicle, coordinating their movements and spacing. The system processes information from both vehicles and generates control signals to maintain proper distance, serving as a mediator that ensures safe and efficient operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system controls the operation of a harvester and/or receiving vehicle so that the receiving vehicle can travel adjacent the harvester, behind a harvesting head on the harvester, during a breakthrough pass in the harvesting operation. The control system can include an interlock system which generates an interlock signal when unloading during breakthrough harvesting is not desired. The control signal can include a monitoring system that generates a control signal during the breakthrough pass, and a logistics system that identifies a desired location for the breakthrough pass.