Harvester Header Tilt Force Sensing for Cutting Height Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural harvesters struggle to maintain a consistent cutting height above the field surface as they traverse varying topographies, potentially leading to damage from prolonged contact with the ground.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing fluid-driven lift and tilt actuators, controlled by a computing system, to adjust the header's position and orientation relative to the field surface based on sensor feedback of actuator forces, ensuring the header maintains a constant cutting height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the header is positioned at a predetermined height above the field surface, then the cutting height is maintained, but the header may contact the ground on varying topography causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the header height using fluid-driven lift actuators based on real-time sensor feedback about ground contact force, transforming the static predetermined height positioning into a dynamic adaptive system that maintains cutting height consistency while preventing ground contact damage
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect the force acting on the header and feeds this information back to the control system, which then adjusts the lift actuators to maintain optimal header position, creating a closed-loop control system that simultaneously ensures cutting height consistency and prevents ground contact damage
2Manufacturing precision
If the header height is adjusted manually to maintain cutting height, then cutting precision is improved, but operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic header height adjustment without operator intervention by using sensors to detect ground contact and automatically controlling the lift actuators, allowing the harvester to maintain precise cutting height while continuing to operate at full harvesting speed
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated control system that uses sensors and fluid-driven actuators to adjust header height, eliminating the need for operators to stop and manually adjust the header while maintaining cutting precision
3Reliability
If the header is lowered to follow field contours, then ground contact is avoided, but cutting height consistency is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically balances ground contact prevention and cutting height consistency by continuously adjusting the header position based on sensor feedback, allowing the header to follow field contours when necessary while maintaining consistent cutting height through active control
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
Accurately detects header contact with the field surface and adjusts the header's position to prevent damage, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing wear by maintaining a consistent cutting height across varying field contours.
Implementation Method 1
one or more fluid-driven tilt actuators coupled between the feeder face plate and the feeder housing
Implementation Method 2
one or more fluid-driven lift actuators coupled between the feeder housing and the chassis
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for controlling harvesting implement operation of an agricultural harvester (10) includes a fluid-driven actuator (108) configured to adjust a position of a harvesting implement of the agricultural harvester relative to a feeder housing (42) of the agricultural harvester. Additionally, the system includes a sensor (114) provided in operative association with the fluid-driven actuator, with the sensor configured to capture data indicative of a parameter associated with a force acting on the fluid-driven actuator. Furthermore, the system includes a computing system (116) configured to monitor the parameter relative to a predetermined minimum parameter value. Moreover, when the monitored parameter falls below the predetermined minimum parameter value, the computing system is configured to determine that the harvesting implement has contacted a field surface of a field across which the agricultural harvester is traveling.