Segmented Harvester Header Control for Contour-Following Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Harvester headers struggle to maintain contact with the ground when operating in raised positions, leading to an inability to follow field contours and maintain consistent cutting height across the header segments.
Innovation Solution
A harvester header system featuring independently adjustable header segments, a conveyor assembly, and a controller that adjusts the segments to target positions using an actuator system, such as hydraulic or electromechanical, to ensure contact with the ground and maintain consistent cutting height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the header is raised above the ground, then the harvester can clear obstacles and maintain mobility, but the header segments lose contact with the field and cannot follow contours to maintain constant cutting height
Solution Approach 1:
The header is divided into multiple independently controllable segments (header segment and center section) that can be positioned separately. Each segment has its own actuator system, allowing the header to be raised overall while maintaining contact points for contour following, thus preserving both mobility and cutting precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The header segments are made dynamically adjustable through actuator systems controlled by a controller. The segments can change position in real-time based on terrain variations, enabling the header to transition between raised (mobility) and contact (precision cutting) states, and to actively follow field contours during operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If the header segments are made independently adjustable to follow field contours, then cutting height consistency is maintained, but the system complexity increases with additional actuators and controllers
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator system serves multiple functions: it raises and lowers header segments for mobility, maintains cutting height consistency by following contours, and enables independent positioning of each segment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and justifies the complexity through consolidated control capabilities.
3Manufacturing precision
If the header segments are kept in contact with the ground to follow contours, then cutting precision is maintained, but the harvester loses mobility and cannot clear obstacles efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the header into independently controllable sections, the system can raise the overall header for obstacle clearance while maintaining contact at specific segments for contour following. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of mobility and cutting precision that would be impossible with a monolithic header.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the harvester header to follow field contours and maintain a consistent cutting height by independently adjusting header segments, improving harvesting efficiency and crop processing quality.
Implementation Method 1
using a hydraulic system to adjust the position of the header segments
Data Source
AI summary
A header of a harvester includes a header segment, a center section, an actuator coupling the header segment to the center section, and a controller. The header segment includes a cutter bar configured to cut crops and the header segment includes a first portion of a conveyor assembly. The center section includes a second portion of the conveyor assembly, in which the center section is configured to receive crops from the header segment via the first portion of the conveyor assembly, and the second portion of the conveyor assembly is configured to transport the received crops to a crop processing system of the harvester. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of a target position of the header segment and the controller is configured to control the actuator to adjust the header segment to the target position.