Rotary Actuator Arm Positioning for Work Vehicle Sensor Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing harvester systems face challenges in efficiently positioning sensors and other devices relative to the frame during harvesting and transport operations, requiring a mechanism to rotate arms and maintain stability and reduce wear.
Innovation Solution
An actuator system with a drive component and linkage assembly is used to rotate an arm from a forward position to a rearward position, incorporating a helical slot cylinder to enable precise movement and mechanical locking for stability, allowing the sensor to align with the frame for different operational statuses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an actuator system is used to rotate the arm to position the sensor forward of the frame, then the sensor can effectively monitor the working component during harvesting operations, but the arm and sensor may obstruct the operator's view when positioned forward
Solution Approach 1:
The arm is designed to be dynamically repositionable between a forward position (extending forward of the frame to position the sensor for monitoring) and a retracted position (aligning with the frame to clear the operator's view). This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt its configuration based on operational needs, switching between monitoring priority and visibility priority.
2Manufacturing precision
If a rotary actuator system with linkage assembly is used to move the arm, then precise positioning and stability are achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator system incorporates a cylinder with a helical (curved) slot rather than a straight slot. This curvature is specifically designed to guide the pin through a path that naturally produces the desired rotational movement of the arm from forward to retracted position. The helical geometry transforms linear actuator motion into precise rotary positioning, achieving accurate arm placement while maintaining a relatively simple actuator design.
3Loss of information
If the arm is extended forward to position the sensor for monitoring, then the sensor can detect working component status, but the mechanism experiences increased wear and reduced stability
Solution Approach 1:
The arm is positioned in the forward configuration with the sensor monitoring the working component during harvesting operations when monitoring is required. During transport or non-operational phases, the arm is retracted to align with the frame, placing the system in a stable, low-wear configuration. This preliminary positioning based on operational state reduces unnecessary wear and maintains stability when the monitoring function is not active.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for a work vehicle includes an arm and an actuator system. The actuator system includes a drive component and a linkage assembly. The linkage assembly is coupled to the arm and the drive component. The drive component is configured to drive the linkage assembly to rotate the arm from a first position in which the arm extends forward of a working component of the work vehicle to a second position in which the arm is positioned rearward of the working component of the work vehicle.