Harvester Header Tilt Force Sensing for Ground Contact Detection
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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 field topography, potentially leading to damage from prolonged contact with the ground.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing fluid-driven actuators and sensors to monitor force parameters, determining when the harvesting implement contacts the field surface, and initiating control actions to lift the implement off the surface, adjusting its position to maintain a consistent cutting height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If automatic header height control system is used to maintain constant cutting height, then cutting height consistency is improved, but the system cannot detect implement contact with field surface accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fluid pressure sensor as an intermediary element that indirectly detects implement contact with the field surface by monitoring pressure changes in the fluid-driven actuator system. This mediator provides accurate contact detection without interfering with the existing height control mechanism, resolving the contradiction between maintaining cutting height consistency and accurately detecting implement contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical contact detection mechanisms with a fluid pressure-based sensing system. By substituting mechanical detection with fluid pressure monitoring, the system achieves more precise detection of implement contact while maintaining the mechanical height control system's ability to maintain consistent cutting height.
2Productivity
If harvesting implement operates close to field surface to maintain cutting height, then harvesting efficiency is improved, but risk of damage from prolonged contact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where fluid pressure sensors continuously monitor implement position and provide real-time feedback to the control system. When contact with the field surface is detected through pressure changes, the system automatically adjusts the implement position to prevent damage, thereby maintaining both harvesting efficiency and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of potential contact conditions through fluid pressure monitoring before actual damage occurs. By detecting pressure changes that indicate approaching contact, the system can proactively adjust the implement position to prevent damage, maintaining both efficiency and reliability.
3Measurement precision
If fluid-driven actuator force is monitored to detect contact, then contact detection accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the existing fluid-driven actuator system's fluid pressure for dual purposes: both actuation of the height control mechanism and detection of implement contact with the field surface. This multi-functionality approach improves contact detection accuracy without adding separate sensing systems, thereby avoiding increased complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the actuation function and detection function into a single integrated system by using the fluid pressure in the actuator for both moving the implement and sensing its position relative to the field surface. This consolidation improves detection accuracy while minimizing system complexity by eliminating redundant components.
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 implement contact with the field surface, preventing damage and ensuring consistent cutting height adjustment, thereby enhancing harvester efficiency and reducing wear.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid-driven actuator configured to adjust a position of a harvesting implement
Implementation Method 2
a fluid-driven actuator configured to adjust a position of a harvesting implement
Implementation Method 3
a sensor 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
Implementation Method 4
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
Implementation Method 5
a fluid-driven tilt actuator coupled between the feeder face plate and the feeder housing. The fluid-driven tilt actuator is, in turn, configured to pivot the feeder face plate relative to the feeder housing
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling harvesting implement operation of an agricultural harvester includes a fluid-driven actuator configured to adjust a position of a harvesting implement of the agricultural harvester relative to a feeder housing of the agricultural harvester. Additionally, the system includes a sensor 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 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.