Rotary Swather Rotor Overlap Control on Slopes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotary swathers risk creating unprocessed strips when operating on slopes due to downhill drifting, which leads to incomplete collection of crop material.
Innovation Solution
A method and control device that adjust the overlap of swath rotors based on the steering angles of the swather and towing vehicle to maintain consistent coverage, increasing overlap uphill and reducing it downhill to prevent drifting and ensure complete collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the rotary swather operates on a slope perpendicular to the slope direction, then the working efficiency is improved, but the swather drifts downhill due to gravity, creating unprocessed strips
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the swath rotor positions adjustable rather than fixed. The control system dynamically modifies the longitudinal positions of swath rotors based on detected steering angles and slope conditions, allowing the machine to adapt its configuration in real-time to maintain complete coverage while operating on slopes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through sensors that detect the steering angle of the swather and the towing vehicle, and through which the control system receives information about slope conditions. This feedback loop enables the control system to automatically adjust swath rotor positions to compensate for downhill drift and prevent unprocessed strips
2Reliability
If the overlap between swath rotors is increased to prevent unprocessed strips, then the coverage completeness is improved, but the working width of the swather is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making different swath rotors have different longitudinal positions based on their location relative to the slope. The uphill swath rotors are positioned to create increased overlap, while downhill rotors maintain normal positioning, allowing localized adjustment of coverage without affecting the overall working width
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A method for operating a rotary rake (1), wherein, depending on the steering angle of the rotary rake (1) and the steering angle of a towing vehicle (2) pulling the rotary rake (1), it is determined whether the rotary rake (1) drifts downhill on a slope. If it is determined that the rotary rake is drifting downhill on a slope, the defined overlap or coverage of uphill-positioned rotary rakes (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) is increased.