Height Adjustable Support Frame with Operator Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural and forestry machine attachments with height-adjustable support frames often exceed permissible transport height due to increasing working widths, leading to issues like suspension element collisions, weight distribution problems, and mechanical stress, as operators may forget to adjust the frame height correctly during position changes.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating detection means to record and display the support frame's height position relative to a target range within the operator's field of vision, using sensors and a display terminal, allowing for real-time monitoring and adjustment to prevent incorrect height settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the support frame is lowered to comply with transport height regulations, then transport height compliance is improved, but the working height may fall outside the optimal target range causing functional impairments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a height detection system with sensors that continuously monitor the support frame position and provide feedback to the control unit. The system compares the detected height with predefined target ranges for working and transport positions, enabling automatic identification of incorrect positioning and triggering appropriate warnings or corrections.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection and validation of the support frame height before allowing operation. By detecting the height position in advance and comparing it with target ranges, the system prevents operational errors caused by incorrect height settings, such as suspension elements hitting stops or drive shafts kinking.
2Device complexity
If the support frame height is not monitored, then device complexity is reduced, but operational errors and mechanical stress increase
Solution Approach 1:
The height detection system provides continuous monitoring feedback to the operator through the display terminal, enabling real-time awareness of the support frame position. This feedback mechanism allows operators to correct height settings before mechanical damage occurs, preventing harmful effects while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary between the height sensors and the display terminal, processing sensor data and generating appropriate visual warnings. This intermediary layer manages the complexity by centralizing the logic for height validation and warning generation, protecting the system from operational errors.
3Reliability
If working units are suspended higher for optimal working height, then working position performance is improved, but transport height may exceed permissible limits
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the height monitoring criteria based on the operational state. Different target height ranges are defined for working and transport positions, allowing the system to validate appropriate heights for each state. The control unit can switch between different height validation criteria depending on whether the implement is in working or transport mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the height parameter thresholds based on the operational context. Predefined target ranges are established for both working and transport positions, with the control unit comparing the actual height against the appropriate range based on the current operational state, enabling optimal performance in both configurations.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an attachment for mounting on an agricultural and/or forestry machine, in particular a tractor, wherein the attachment has a height-adjustable support frame on which at least one working unit, such as a mower, rotary rake, or the like, is adjustably suspended between a working position and a transport position. According to the invention, sensing means for detecting the height position of the support frame and a display terminal for displaying the detected height position of the support frame are provided, wherein said display terminal can be positioned on the operator's platform of the agricultural and/or forestry machine within the operator's field of vision.