Agricultural Reel Torque Measurement for Dynamic Height Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural harvesters face challenges in adapting the reel height of the header to continuously varying crop conditions during harvesting, leading to inefficient energy use and potential grain loss due to improper reel positioning.
Innovation Solution
The reel is equipped with torque sensors on tine bars to measure torque variations, allowing for real-time adjustment of reel height, position, and rotational speed based on crop interaction, independent of crop density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the reel height is set low to ensure proper crop engagement, then the reel can effectively lift and position the crop, but excessive energy is consumed and grain loss increases due to unnecessary contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs torque sensors on tine bars to provide real-time feedback on crop contact forces. This feedback enables the control system to dynamically adjust reel height, ensuring optimal crop engagement while minimizing unnecessary contact and energy consumption. The feedback loop allows the system to respond to varying crop conditions and maintain efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The reel height is made dynamically adjustable based on real-time torque measurements rather than being fixed. The control system continuously modifies the reel position in response to changing crop conditions, allowing the system to adapt its configuration to minimize energy consumption while maintaining effective crop engagement throughout the harvesting process.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the reel height is increased to reduce energy consumption, then less energy is needed for rotation, but the reel cannot effectively engage with the crop
Solution Approach 1:
Torque sensors provide continuous feedback on the force required to rotate the reel and engage the crop. This feedback enables the control system to determine the optimal reel height that balances energy consumption with effective crop engagement, adjusting the position dynamically rather than using a fixed high or low setting.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own operational data (torque measurements during reel rotation) to automatically determine and adjust its own configuration (reel height). The reel system essentially monitors its own performance and self-adjusts to optimal settings without external intervention, balancing energy efficiency with functional effectiveness.
3Measurement precision
If torque sensors are installed on multiple tine bars at different locations, then detailed crop interaction data is obtained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is segmented by placing torque sensors on individual tine bars rather than using a single centralized sensor. This segmentation allows measurement of local crop interaction forces at different positions across the reel width, providing detailed spatial information about crop variability and enabling localized control adjustments.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the operator manually adjusts reel height based on visual observation, then flexibility in adapting to crop variations is achieved, but the operator's attention is diverted from other control tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual visual observation with automated torque-based feedback from sensors on the tine bars. This feedback is processed by a control system that automatically adjusts reel height, eliminating the need for the operator to continuously monitor and manually adjust the reel position while maintaining adaptability to crop variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The reel positioning system performs its own adjustment function automatically based on sensor data, freeing the operator from this task. The system serves itself by autonomously determining and implementing optimal reel height settings based on real-time crop interaction measurements.
Data Source
AI summary
A header for an agricultural harvester includes a header frame and a reel. The reel is rotatably mounted to the header frame and comprises a reel frame with a plurality of tine bars rotatably mounted thereto. At least one, but preferably two or more, of the tine bars are coupled to respective torque sensors for measuring a torque on the respective tine bars.