Multi-Rotor Rake Lift Control for Synchronized Swath Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary rake lifting control systems for multi-rotor rakes rely solely on GPS data to move windrow rotors between working and transport positions, leading to the formation of unwanted parallel swaths that cannot be properly picked up during harvesting.
Innovation Solution
A method and control unit that coordinate the movement of windrow rotors based on the positions of adjacent rotors, ensuring that only when all adjacent rotors are in their respective positions, a rotor is moved to its transport or intermediate position, using GPS data to synchronize the movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If GPS-based automatic control is used to move windrow rotors between working and transport positions, then automation and productivity are improved, but unwanted parallel swaths are formed when rotors are not properly synchronized
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the positions of multiple windrow rotors and uses this feedback information to coordinate their movements. The control unit receives position data from GPS and determines whether to execute transport position commands based on the relative positions of adjacent rotors, preventing the formation of unwanted parallel swaths through real-time position-based feedback control
Solution Approach 2:
The control system evaluates the positions of all relevant rotors before executing a position change command. By checking whether adjacent rotors are in appropriate positions beforehand, the system prevents unwanted parallel swath formation in advance, rather than correcting it after the fact
2Adaptability or versatility
If individual rotor position control is used, then operational flexibility is improved, but coordination between rotors deteriorates leading to parallel swath formation
Solution Approach 1:
The control system merges the individual position control of multiple rotors into a coordinated control system. By combining GPS position data from all rotors and using a unified control logic that considers relative positions, the system maintains both individual positioning capability and overall swath pattern consistency, preventing unwanted parallel swaths
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Method and control unit for operating a rotary lifting control for multi-rotor rakes (11) with at least four rake rotors (12, 13, 14, 15) articulated to boom arms (16, 17, 18, 19), wherein the boom arms are articulated to a frame (20), and wherein the rake rotors can be raised and lowered relative to the frame (20) via the boom arms (16, 17, 18, 19), wherein the boom arms and the rake rotors can be individually moved between a working position and a transport position or intermediate position depending on a respective control signal.A windrower (12, 13) whose harvested crop is further gathered by at least one windrower (14, 15) located in front of it and further outwards, is only moved into its transport or intermediate position depending on a control signal if the at least one windrower (14, 15) located in front of it and further outwards is also moved into its transport or intermediate position. A windrower (14, 15) whose harvested crop is further gathered by a windrower (12, 13) located behind it and further inwards is moved into its working position depending on a control signal, and the at least one windrower (12, 13) located behind it and further inwards is also moved into its respective working position.