Predictive Field Maps for Harvester Header Ground Engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural harvesters face challenges in maintaining optimal header position and engagement with the ground due to varying soil properties and topography, leading to issues like header digging-in, soil pushing, and yield loss, which existing sensor systems are unable to effectively address.

Innovation Solution

Generating predictive maps using in-situ sensor data and prior soil property and topographic maps to model header characteristics, allowing for real-time adjustment of header settings and control to maintain optimal engagement with the ground.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional sensor systems are used to monitor header position, then basic position data can be obtained, but the system cannot effectively address header digging-in, soil pushing, and yield loss caused by varying soil properties and topography

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheader control reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to soil and topographic variations

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary mapping of soil properties and topography before harvesting operations. This advance knowledge allows the header control system to proactively adjust settings based on predicted ground conditions, preventing digging-in and soil pushing before they occur rather than reacting after problems arise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The header control system dynamically adjusts header position and engagement forces in real-time based on varying soil properties and topographic conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain optimal performance across diverse field conditions, resolving the contradiction between reliable control and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the header is maintained at a fixed position, then control simplicity is achieved, but header digging-in and soil pushing occur due to varying ground conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheader control simplicityVSAvoidheader digging-in and soil pushing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback from multiple sensors that monitor header position, soil properties, and topographic conditions. This feedback loop enables automatic adjustments to header settings, maintaining optimal engagement without requiring manual intervention. The feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing simple automated control that prevents digging-in and soil pushing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The header control system is self-adjusting, automatically modifying header position and engagement forces based on real-time sensor data about soil and topographic conditions. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex manual operation while preventing harmful effects like digging-in and soil pushing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment of header settings is used, then adaptability to local conditions is possible, but harvesting efficiency and productivity are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheader setting adaptabilityVSAvoidharvesting efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual mechanical adjustment of header settings with an automated electronic control system. Sensors and processors automatically determine optimal header positions and engagement forces, eliminating the need for manual intervention. This substitution maintains high adaptability to local conditions while dramatically improving harvesting efficiency and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Measurement precision

If comprehensive sensor systems are deployed to monitor all field conditions, then accurate header control is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield condition measurement accuracyVSAvoidsensor system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system is segmented into multiple independent sensors, each measuring specific parameters (soil moisture, topography, header position, etc.). This segmentation allows the system to achieve comprehensive monitoring accuracy while keeping individual sensor components simple and manageable, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12422847B2Predictive agricultural model and map generation

Publication Date: 2025.09.23 DEERE & CO

AI summary

One or more information maps are obtained by an agricultural work machine. The one or more information maps map one or more agricultural characteristic values at different geographic locations of a field. An in-situ sensor on the agricultural work machine senses an agricultural characteristic as the agricultural work machine moves through the field. A predictive map generator generates a predictive map that predicts a predictive agricultural characteristic at different locations in the field based on a relationship between the values in the one or more information maps and the agricultural characteristic sensed by the in-situ sensor. The predictive map can be output and used in automated machine control.