Harvester Header Ground Pressure Control for Uneven Terrain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-propelled harvesting machines with height-adjustable intake devices struggle to maintain a consistent distance between the front area of the header and the ground, and to evenly distribute the force applied by support wheels, leading to fluctuations in load and inefficient crop intake due to changes in ground contour.
Innovation Solution
A self-propelled harvesting machine with a height-adjustable receiving device that allows the front attachment to pivot about a virtual pendulum axis, using hydraulic cylinders to adjust vertically and laterally, and incorporates pressure-controlled actuators to maintain a consistent distance and force distribution, independent of traditional actuators, through a control system that compensates for ground irregularities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the header is equipped with ground pressure control where a certain percentage of its total weight rests on the ground, then the stability and ground guidance are improved, but significant fluctuations in the load on the gauge wheels occur when the ground contour changes
Solution Approach 1:
The header is designed with dynamic adaptability through independently controllable support wheels that can adjust their vertical position and load bearing capacity in real-time. The support wheels are guided vertically by hydraulic cylinders that can be controlled independently, allowing the header to dynamically adapt to changing ground contours while maintaining stable ground guidance and reducing load fluctuations on the gauge wheels
2Device complexity
If the header position is adjusted only after the header has passed the change in ground contour, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the distance of the front section of the header from the ground is not optimally adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The support wheels are positioned at the outer lateral areas of the front attachment and extend according to a vertical distance specified by the operator until ground contact is made. This preliminary positioning action allows the header to anticipate and adapt to ground contour changes before the main cutting section encounters them, improving cutting height precision while maintaining relatively simple control through the existing hydraulic system
3Adaptability or versatility
If the front attachment is pivoted across its entire working width to adapt to changing ground contour, then the adaptability to ground irregularities is improved, but unintended excitation of the harvesting machine occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The header is segmented into multiple independently controllable sections with individual support wheels at the outer lateral areas of the front attachment. Each support wheel can be controlled independently through its own hydraulic cylinder, allowing localized adaptation to ground irregularities without requiring the entire front attachment to pivot across its full working width, thereby reducing unwanted machine excitation while maintaining ground contour adaptability
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
The solution ensures a consistent distance and force distribution across the working width, optimizing crop intake and reducing fluctuations in load, even when ground contours change, thereby improving the harvesting efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
each of which is guided vertically by a hydraulic cylinder connected to a hydraulic circuit of a hydraulic system having a pressure source
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a self-propelled harvesting machine (1) with a height-adjustable receiving device (6) on which a front attachment (3) for receiving crop (7) is arranged, pivotable about a virtual pendulum axis (21) of the receiving device (6), wherein the receiving device (6) is configured for adaptive adjustment of a vertical distance of the front attachment (29) to the ground (30), wherein at least one support wheel (24) is arranged at least on the outer lateral areas of the front attachment (3), which is guided vertically by a hydraulic cylinder (27) connected to a hydraulic circuit of a hydraulic system (33) having a pressure source (34), wherein position control of the front attachment (3) transversely to the forward direction of travel (FR) by pivoting about the virtual pendulum axis (21) is independent of a transverse guidance of the front attachment (3) controlled or regulated by the harvesting machine (1).