Agricultural Header Crop-Pushing Detection and Automatic Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combine harvesters require manual intervention by operators to detect and adjust the header height to prevent crop pushing, which is inefficient and burdensome.
Innovation Solution
A header height control system with sensors and actuators that automatically detect crop pushing conditions and adjust the header position to release crop piles, using load sense systems and controllers to manage the header's movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual intervention is used to detect and adjust header height, then the operator can control the header position, but operator fatigue increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to automatically detect crop pushing conditions and triggers the actuator to adjust the header height without operator intervention. The controller monitors sensor signals and autonomously activates the actuator to raise or tilt the header, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring continuous manual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor the header's interaction with the crop and provide feedback signals to the controller. When crop pushing is detected, the controller processes this feedback and automatically adjusts the header position, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to real-time conditions without manual input.
2Productivity
If automated header height control is used, then harvesting efficiency improves, but the system cannot automatically resolve crop pushing conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system monitors crop loading conditions through sensors and automatically activates the actuator to adjust the header height when pushing is detected. This self-service capability allows the system to resolve crop pushing conditions autonomously without requiring operator intervention, combining both efficiency and automatic problem resolution.
3Ease of operation
If the operator manually adjusts the header, then the header can be positioned to release crop piles, but the operator must deactivate and reactivate automated control features
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects when crop pushing occurs and triggers the actuator to adjust the header height without requiring the operator to manually intervene or toggle control features. The controller manages the automated response, eliminating the complexity of manual control feature management while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A header height control system for an agricultural vehicle includes an actuator for moving a header of the agricultural vehicle relative to a chassis of the vehicle, a sensor for detecting a crop pushing condition at the header, and a controller that receives signals from the sensor and is also operably connected to the actuator for activating the actuator. When the sensor detects the crop pushing condition and communicates the crop pushing condition to the controller, the controller is configured to activate the actuator to raise or tilt the header from a starting position and, after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed, return the header back to the starting position.