Harvester Spout Position Sensing for Driver Pacing Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The coordination of movement between a crop harvesting apparatus and the crop materials transporting vehicle is complicated by the need to adjust the relative position of the transfer spout with respect to the hopper, which is challenging due to limited visibility and communication methods that divert attention from primary tasks, especially in low light conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system that provides automatic and visual pacing information to the transport vehicle driver using a position sensing assembly to detect the transfer spout's orientation relative to the harvester, with a controller assembly to adjust the pacing indication display accordingly, allowing the driver to maintain proper positioning without visual strain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If communication methods are used to coordinate between harvester and transport vehicle, then information can be exchanged, but operator attention is diverted from primary tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses self-service by automatically sensing the relative position between the transfer spout and hopper through position sensing assemblies, eliminating the need for operators to manually communicate or monitor positioning. The pacing indication display automatically provides guidance information to the transport vehicle driver based on real-time position data, allowing both operators to maintain focus on their primary tasks while coordination information is exchanged automatically.
2Reliability
If operators monitor transfer spout position manually, then coordination can be maintained, but visual strain increases especially in low light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical/visual monitoring method with an electronic sensing and display system. Position sensing assemblies automatically detect the relative position between the transfer spout and hopper, and the pacing indication display presents this information in an easily visible format that does not require operators to strain their eyes, especially in low light conditions. This substitution eliminates visual strain while maintaining reliable coordination.
3Ease of operation
If transfer spout position is not accurately monitored, then operator workload is reduced, but material transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously sensing the position of the transfer spout relative to the hopper and providing real-time pacing indication information to the transport vehicle driver. This automatic feedback loop ensures accurate positioning for efficient material transfer while reducing operator workload, as the system handles the monitoring and communication functions automatically based on sensed position data.
Data Source
AI summary
A driver pacing information apparatus for providing a driver of transport vehicle with pacing information for operating the transport vehicle alongside a harvester may include a position sensing assembly configured to sense a position of a transfer spout of the harvester with respect to a frame of the harvester, a pacing indication display configured to provide pacing information to the driver of the transport vehicle, and a controller assembly configured to control the pacing indication display based upon position sensing of the position sensing assembly. The pacing indication display may be configured to visually provide pacing information to the driver of the transport vehicle.