Self-centering harvesting head with hydraulic actuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current self-propelled harvesting machines face challenges in maintaining accurate centering over vine rows due to low or unevenly tied vines, leading to violent reactions and potential vine damage, especially with pendulum guiding systems that are sensitive to ground unevenness and directional changes.

Innovation Solution

A self-centering harvesting head equipped with lateral hydraulic jacks and a control system using position sensors, allowing for automatic centering perpendicular to the vine row, independent of the machine's weight and center of gravity, and capable of compensating for parasitic accelerations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a pendulum guiding system is used to center the harvesting head, then the head can be guided through gravity and vine bearing, but violent reactions occur when entering rows and the system is sensitive to ground unevenness and directional changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentering operationVSAvoidcentering stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the passive pendulum guiding system with an active hydraulic actuation system. Instead of relying on gravity and vine bearing to center the harvesting head, hydraulic jacks are used to actively adjust and maintain the head's position, eliminating the violent reactions and sensitivity to ground conditions characteristic of the pendulum system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates a control system that receives feedback from position sensors detecting the harvesting head's location relative to the vine row. This feedback is used to automatically adjust the hydraulic actuators, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains precise centering without the instability of the pendulum system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Stability of the object's composition

If the harvesting head is mounted on horizontal pins high above the center of gravity, then symmetric pendulum reaction is obtained, but the receiving bins cannot be mounted on the swinging assembly due to added inertia

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvependulum symmetryVSAvoidreceiving bin mounting capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the pendulum mounting configuration by using hydraulic actuators to control the harvesting head's position. This substitution removes the constraint that prevented receiving bins from being mounted on the swinging assembly, as the hydraulic system can accommodate the additional weight and inertia of the bins without compromising centering capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If parasitic accelerations from uneven ground or directional changes are allowed to act on the pendulum system, then the mechanical corridor can be guided, but the guidance is in the wrong direction and causes counter-reactions that may break vines

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical corridor guidanceVSAvoidvine damage from counter-reactions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses position sensors to continuously monitor the harvesting head's position and feeds this information back to the control system. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect and compensate for parasitic accelerations caused by uneven ground or directional changes, preventing the mechanical corridor from being guided in the wrong direction and avoiding the violent counter-reactions that could break vines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

By replacing the passive pendulum system with an active hydraulic control system, the patent eliminates the vulnerability to parasitic accelerations. The hydraulic system can actively counteract these external forces, maintaining proper guidance direction and preventing the harmful counter-reactions that occur with the pendulum system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Ensures precise and stable centering of the harvesting head, reducing leaf stripping, improving harvest quality, increasing travel speed, and preventing vine damage, while allowing for easier row entry and operator comfort.

Implementation Method 1

A self-centering harvesting head equipped with lateral hydraulic jacks

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

a control system using position sensors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPosition sensing:

Data Source

PatentUS7818953B2Self-centering straddling harvesting head for small fruit harvesting machine and machine equipped with such harvesting head

Publication Date: 2010.10.26 PELLENC SA

AI summary

A harvesting apparatus has a harvesting head suitable for connection to a traveling carrier and suitable for straddling a row of fruit-bearing plants. A straddling carrier has the harvesting head mounted thereon. An actuator arrangement is provided and is cooperative with the harvesting head so as to move the harvesting head in relation to a median plane of the straddling carrier. A centering mechanism is cooperative with the harvesting head so as to center a lower portion of the harvesting head in relation to the row of fruit-bearing plants. A controller is cooperative with the centering system.