Mower Conditioner Speed Control for Uniform Windrow Formation

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Solution Overview

Problem

During mowing operations, significant reductions in ground speed, such as when turning at field headlands, cause crop bunching in the windrow due to uneven expulsion of accumulated crop, leading to uneven drying and potential spoilage.

Innovation Solution

A mower control system with a ground speed sensor and electronic controller that adjusts the conveying arrangement's speed proportionally to the forward travel speed to maintain uniform crop delivery, preventing bunching by synchronizing the delivery speed of internal components with the forward travel speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the forward speed of the mower-conditioner is reduced significantly, then the operator can turn the machine around at headlands, but crop bunching occurs in the windrow causing uneven drying and potential spoilage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to turn at headlandsVSAvoidwindrow uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The conveying arrangement's speed is made dynamic and adjustable, allowing it to operate at different speeds based on the forward travel speed of the mower-conditioner. During turning operations at headlands, the conveying arrangement automatically reduces its speed to match the reduced forward speed, preventing crop bunching while maintaining the ability to turn.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameter (speed) of the conveying arrangement based on the forward travel speed of the mower-conditioner. By adjusting the conveying speed parameter in response to changes in forward speed, the system maintains windrow uniformity during both normal operation and turning maneuvers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If the forward travel speed is reduced, then turning is enabled, but crop accumulation in the header causes bunching up of crop at the rear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforward travel speedVSAvoidcrop density in windrow

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from the forward travel speed to automatically adjust the conveying arrangement's speed. The conveying arrangement's speed is controlled based on the forward speed of the mower-conditioner, creating a feedback loop that maintains appropriate crop flow rates and prevents bunching during speed reductions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the conveying arrangement operates at constant high speed, then crop flow is efficient during normal mowing, but significant crop bunching occurs when forward speed is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrop processing efficiencyVSAvoidwindrow density uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The conveying arrangement transitions from constant speed operation to dynamic speed adjustment. The speed of the conveying arrangement is continuously adjusted based on the forward travel speed of the mower-conditioner, allowing efficient crop processing during normal operation while preventing bunching during turning maneuvers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10080328B2Mower-conditioner header speed control based on forward travel speed

Publication Date: 2018.09.25 DEERE & CO

AI summary

A self-propelled mower includes a rotary cutter bar that feeds cut crop to a driven crop conveying arrangement which delivers the crop to a windrow forming arrangement. The speed at which the crop conveying arrangement delivers crop to the windrow forming arrangement is controlled so as to be a predetermined ratio of the ground speed.