Trailer Mediator for Harvester Speed Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for coordinating the movement of a harvester and its accompanying tractor-trailer combination during agricultural harvesting are inefficient, particularly due to the need for compatible wireless communication and costly retrofitting, which limits compatibility across different manufacturers.
Innovation Solution
A method where the harvester sends a control signal to influence the relative position of the trailer, which then adjusts the tractor's speed through a separate communication link, utilizing existing infrastructure like ISOBUS for cross-manufacturer compatibility, allowing for precise speed synchronization without direct control of the tractor by the harvester.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct wireless communication control between harvester and tractor is implemented, then speed synchronization and relative position control are improved, but device complexity and retrofitting costs increase due to required compatible communication means
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a trailer as an intermediary element between the harvester and tractor. The trailer receives control signals from the harvester and transmits them to the tractor, eliminating the need for direct wireless communication between harvester and tractor. This mediator approach allows speed synchronization to be achieved without requiring complex compatible communication systems between the harvester and tractor, thereby resolving the technical contradiction.
2Reliability
If retrofitting communication systems is performed to enable remote control, then coordination between harvester and tractor is improved, but ease of manufacture and implementation worsen due to high costs and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the existing self-service communication infrastructure already present on the trailer (ISOBUS connection between trailer and tractor). Instead of requiring expensive retrofitting of communication systems on the harvester and tractor, the solution utilizes the trailer's existing capability to receive and transmit control signals. This approach achieves improved coordination efficiency without incurring high retrofitting costs, as the trailer's communication system serves the additional function of signal transmission.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the tractor driver manually maintains relative position, then adaptability is improved, but productivity decreases due to speed synchronization challenges and misunderstandings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated feedback control system where the harvester's control signals are transmitted through the trailer to the tractor, creating a closed-loop system. The tractor automatically adjusts its speed based on the control signals received from the harvester via the trailer, eliminating the need for manual intervention by the tractor driver. This feedback mechanism maintains adaptability in relative position adjustment while significantly improving productivity by removing speed synchronization challenges and potential misunderstandings between drivers.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling a combination (10) accompanying a harvesting machine (1) with a tractor (20) and a trailer (12) pulled thereby, onto which the harvesting machine (1) at least temporarily overloads harvested crop (30) by means of an unloading device (2), wherein the harvesting machine (1) sends a first control signal (S300) with a first transmitting device (5) in order to influence a relative position of the trailer (12) relative to the harvesting machine (1).In order to provide an alternative, and in particular economically feasible, means of coordinating the movements of a harvesting machine and an accompanying vehicle combination, the invention provides that the trailer (12) receives the first control signal (S310) with a first receiving device (15) and, depending on the first control signal, sends a second control signal (S320) with a second transmitting device (17), which contains speed information, wherein the tractor (20) receives the second control signal with a second receiving device (22) (S330) and then adjusts its actual speed according to the speed information (S340).