Windrower Header Lift Positioning for High-Speed Braking Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-propelled windrowers experience instability during aggressive braking events due to the rear wheels lifting off the ground, causing violent rotation and pitching forward, especially when the header is positioned at its highest height.
Innovation Solution
A lift device is used to selectively move the header to an intermediate position between a low and high position, ensuring stability during high-speed travel by reducing the distance the rear wheels lift off the ground.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the header is positioned at its highest height for high-speed travel, then the windrower can clear obstacles and maintain higher ground clearance, but the rear wheels lift off the ground during braking events causing violent rotation and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The header height is made dynamically adjustable with multiple selectable positions (low, intermediate, high) rather than being fixed. The system automatically selects the appropriate header position based on operating conditions, allowing the windrower to optimize between high-speed travel capability and braking stability. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the header position to the specific operational context.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of header height from a single fixed value to multiple discrete values (low, intermediate, high positions). By providing an intermediate position between the traditional low and high positions, the system creates a new operational parameter that balances the conflicting requirements of obstacle clearance and braking stability, eliminating the violent rotation during braking while maintaining high-speed capability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the header is positioned at low height for stability, then braking stability improves, but the windrower cannot travel at high speeds or clear obstacles effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts header position based on operational requirements. When high-speed travel is needed, the header can be positioned high or at intermediate levels. When braking stability is the priority, the header positions are adjusted to lower levels. This dynamic responsiveness allows the windrower to optimize performance for each specific operating condition rather than being constrained by a fixed header position.
Solution Approach 2:
By introducing multiple header position parameters (low, intermediate, high), the system provides flexibility to select the optimal position for each operational context. The intermediate position specifically addresses the contradiction by providing a middle ground that offers both obstacle clearance capability and improved braking stability compared to the traditional low position alone.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the header is positioned at intermediate height, then braking stability improves and rear wheel lift is reduced, but the system complexity increases with multiple position settings
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous range of possible header positions is segmented into discrete, predefined positions (low, intermediate, high). This segmentation simplifies the control system by eliminating the need for continuous adjustment mechanisms and complex control algorithms. The lift device only needs to position the header at these specific predetermined locations, reducing system complexity while still providing the stability benefits of intermediate positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system can automatically select and adjust the header position based on operational conditions without requiring manual intervention. The control system monitors the operating state and autonomously positions the header at the appropriate level, making the system self-regulating and reducing the complexity of manual control interfaces while maintaining braking stability through automated intermediate positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural machine system for moving a header of a self-propelled windrower at road speed. A lift device selectively moves the header between a low position, a high position, and an intermediate position such that the header occupies the intermediate position when the agricultural machine system is in a mode of operation associated with road speed.