Swath Gate Position Control for Crop Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mower-conditioner machines face challenges in uniformly distributing and drying crop material during swath formation, as the positioning of the swath gate is not optimally adjusted in relation to the conditioner speed and ground speed, leading to inefficient spreading and distribution of crop material.

Innovation Solution

A control system that adjusts the position of the swath gate based on the conditioner speed and ground speed of the mower-conditioner machine, ensuring optimal distribution and spreading of crop material by automatically adjusting the gate position in real-time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the swath gate position is fixed or manually adjusted, then the device complexity is reduced, but the uniformity of crop material distribution deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniformity of crop material distributionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The swath gate position is made dynamically adjustable through a control system that automatically modifies the gate position based on real-time conditioner speed and ground speed data, enabling the system to adapt to varying operating conditions and maintain uniform crop distribution without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control system implements feedback by continuously monitoring conditioner speed and ground speed sensors, processing this information to determine optimal swath gate positions, and automatically adjusting the gate accordingly to maintain consistent crop material distribution across different operating speeds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the swath gate position is manually adjusted, then the ease of operation is reduced, but the adaptability to different speeds is improved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different speedsVSAvoidease of swath gate adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control system performs self-service by automatically determining and adjusting the swath gate position based on sensor data from conditioner speed and ground speed measurements, eliminating the need for manual operator intervention and enabling the system to adapt to different speeds autonomously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical adjustment of the swath gate is replaced with an automated control system that uses electronic sensors and actuators to adjust the gate position, substituting mechanical manual operation with an automated electromechanical system that improves ease of operation while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20240049639A1Actively variable swath gate position

Publication Date: 2024.02.15 CNH IND AMERICALLC

AI summary

An agricultural machine system includes: a mower-conditioner machine including a mower-conditioner machine frame, a plurality of conditioner rolls coupled with the mower-conditioner machine frame, and a pivotable swath gate coupled with the mower-conditioner machine frame; a control system operatively coupled with the mower-conditioner machine frame, the control system including: a controller system configured for: determining a swath gate position adjustment based at least in part on a conditioner speed of the plurality of conditioner rolls.