Retractable Sensor Arm on Header Reel for Terrain Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural headers lack a mechanism to efficiently monitor terrain features during harvesting operations while maintaining a compact configuration for transportation and maneuverability.
Innovation Solution
A reel assembly with a device mounting assembly that supports sensors or light sources to detect terrain features, allowing movement between extended and retracted positions, maintaining orientation relative to the ground, and enabling detection in both configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a device mounting assembly is added to support terrain monitoring devices, then terrain feature monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device mounting assembly is designed to support multiple types of terrain monitoring devices (sensors, light sources) on a single structural platform, allowing the reel assembly to perform both its primary function of guiding crops and the secondary function of terrain monitoring through a unified multi-functional structure
Solution Approach 2:
The device mounting assembly is integrated within the existing reel arm structure, with the mounting structure nested within or attached to the reel arm framework, allowing the monitoring devices to be housed within the confines of the existing assembly without requiring separate external structures
2Measurement precision
If the device mounting assembly is extended to improve terrain monitoring, then monitoring effectiveness is improved, but transportation compactness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device mounting assembly is designed with movable or adjustable components that allow it to extend forward during harvesting operations for optimal terrain monitoring, and then retract or fold back into a compact configuration during transportation, enabling the structure to dynamically adapt between operational and transit states
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting assembly utilizes vertical clearance and three-dimensional space within the header structure to position monitoring devices forward of the main header body during operation, rather than simply extending the horizontal length, allowing improved monitoring capability while maintaining a compact overall footprint for transportation
3Adaptability or versatility
If the device mounting assembly moves between extended and retracted positions, then operational versatility is improved, but mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly incorporates movable joints and actuation mechanisms that enable the structure to transition between extended and retracted positions, allowing the same mechanism to serve dual purposes of position adjustment and compact storage without requiring entirely separate systems for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning mechanism is integrated with the existing reel arm actuation system, where the same hydraulic or mechanical actuators that control reel arm movement also control the extension and retraction of the device mounting assembly, combining multiple functions into a single mechanism to reduce overall system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A reel assembly for an agricultural header includes a reel arm configured to couple to a frame of the agricultural header and configured to support a reel of the reel assembly. The reel assembly further includes a device mounting assembly movably coupled to the reel arm and configured to support a device that is configured to monitor a terrain feature. The device mounting assembly is configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the frame to move the device between a first position corresponding to the extended position of the device mounting assembly and a second position corresponding to the retracted position of the device mounting assembly. The device mounting assembly is configured to enable the device to monitor the terrain feature at the first position and the second position.