Mower Implement Guidance System for Crop Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Mower implements struggle to maintain efficient alignment and utilize their full cutter width while cutting crop material, as operators must divide attention between steering the vehicle and monitoring the mower's rearward path, leading to potential inefficiencies and uncut crop material.
Innovation Solution
A guidance system is integrated into the mower implement, featuring distance sensors and a computing device that execute a guidance algorithm to detect lateral drift and control the steering system, ensuring the mower stays aligned with the crop by displaying directional indicia and adjusting its path accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operator manually monitors the mower implement alignment, then the mower can be steered, but the operator cannot simultaneously steer the vehicle and monitor the rearward path, leading to alignment drift and reduced productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The mower implement monitors and corrects its own alignment automatically using onboard sensors and control systems. The distance sensors detect lateral offset from the intended path, and the control system adjusts the implement position without requiring continuous operator attention, enabling the operator to focus on vehicle steering while the system handles alignment independently
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously measures the lateral distance between the mower implement and reference markers in the field using distance sensors. This feedback information is processed by the control system, which then makes real-time adjustments to the implement position, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains accurate alignment throughout the mowing operation
2Ease of operation
If the mower implement drifts laterally during operation, then the operator can focus on steering, but the cutter width is not fully utilized and crop material may be left uncut
Solution Approach 1:
Distance sensors continuously measure the lateral position of the mower implement relative to the intended cutting path. This position feedback is fed to the control system, which calculates the required correction and automatically adjusts the implement alignment, ensuring precise cutting alignment is maintained throughout the operation without operator intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical steering control is supplemented or replaced by an automated electro-hydraulic or electro-mechanical control system. This system uses electronic sensors and actuators to replace the operator's manual alignment adjustments, providing more precise and consistent cutting alignment while allowing the operator to focus on vehicle steering
3Ease of operation
If the mower implement is drawn behind and laterally offset from the tractor, then the operator can steer the vehicle forward, but it becomes difficult to maintain proper alignment of the mower implement
Solution Approach 1:
The mower implement independently monitors its own lateral position using onboard distance sensors that detect offset from the intended path. The control system automatically corrects alignment drift without requiring the operator to visually monitor the rearward path, enabling the operator to focus entirely on forward vehicle steering while the system maintains implement alignment autonomously
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
The guidance system effectively maintains the mower's alignment with the crop, maximizing cutter width utilization and preventing uncut areas, thereby enhancing efficiency and reducing operator workload.
Implementation Method 1
A distance sensor is coupled to the body and is positioned to sense a separation distance between the first side edge of the body and an outboard windrow laterally offset outboard of the body relative to the central longitudinal axis
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
According to the invention, a mower implement (20) is claimed. The invention is further related to a method of controlling a mower implement (20) includes sensing a separation distance (60) between the mower implement (20) and an adjacent windrow with an outboard distance sensor (50). The sensed separation distance (60) is then compared to a defined separation target. The computing device (66) indicates that a course of the mower implement (20) is on-target when the separation distance (60) is approximately equal to the defined separation target. The computing device (66) indicates that the course of the mower implement (20) is drifting in a first direction when the separation distance (60) is less than the defined separation target and greater than zero. An offset distance is sensed between the mower implement (20) and a standing crop edge (56). The computing device (66) indicates that the course of the mower implement (20) is drifting in a second direction when both the separation distance (60) and the offset distance are substantially equal to zero.