Remote Harvester Propulsion Control for Hitch Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of aligning and connecting agricultural harvesters, such as combine harvesters, with towed components like headers is hindered by limited rearward visibility from the operator's station, increasing the time and difficulty of the connection process.
Innovation Solution
A propulsion input device located near the hitch allows an operator to control the harvester's movement and alignment from a position providing direct visibility, enabling precise coupling by integrating a propulsion system, brake system, and steering system through an electronic controller and input devices like buttons or joysticks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operator controls movement from the cab, then the operator has a stable operating position, but rearward visibility is limited making alignment difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A remote control device is introduced as an intermediary between the operator and the harvester's propulsion system. The operator controls the harvester from a distance using this intermediate device, which receives inputs and transmits control signals to the electronic controller, enabling operation without being in the cab where visibility is limited.
Solution Approach 2:
The control interface is moved from the traditional cab location to a remote position adjacent to the hitch. This spatial relocation in another dimension allows the operator to be positioned where rearward visibility is adequate while maintaining control over the harvester's movement through the remote control system.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the operator moves to a position adjacent to the hitch for better visibility, then alignment visibility is improved, but direct control of the harvester is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The remote control device serves as a mediator that extends the operator's control capability to the relocated position. The operator can stand adjacent to the hitch with improved visibility while the electronic controller receives commands from the remote device, maintaining direct control through the intermediary communication system.
Solution Approach 2:
Direct mechanical control from the cab is replaced with an electronic control system. The propulsion input device communicates with the electronic controller through electrical or wireless signals, substituting the traditional mechanical linkage and enabling control from a remote position without physical connection constraints.
3Ease of operation
If remote control is implemented, then visibility and control are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic controller integrates multiple functions into a single device. It processes signals from the propulsion input device, controls the propulsion system, and manages the brake system, making the control system multi-functional and reducing the need for separate control mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The propulsion control and brake control are merged into a single electronic controller that receives inputs from the same propulsion input device. This consolidation combines multiple control functions into one integrated system, managing complexity through unification rather than multiplication of separate systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural vehicle may include, among other features, an electronic controller including one or more processors and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium coupled to the one or more processors and storing programming instructions for execution by the one or more processors. The programming instructions instruct the one or more processors to operate one of a propulsion system and a feederhouse position system in response to one or more inputs applied to a propulsion input device on or coupled to the agricultural vehicle. The propulsion system of the agricultural vehicle may be operable to drive a ground engaging component of the agricultural vehicle in a first direction or a second configuration in response to an input received from an input device. The feederhouse position system may be operable to alter a position of the feederhouse, such as rotation about a lateral axis, rotation about a longitudinal axis, or both.