Harvesting machine with programmable inputs for header height and auxiliary function control

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11089727-B2
Application number	US-201815904090-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 23, 2018
Priority date	Feb 23, 2018
Publication date	Aug 17, 2021
Grant date	Aug 17, 2021

Abstract

In a harvesting machine having an agricultural header which is adjustable in height, a computer controller includes programming instructions to allow an operator to associate a plurality of different harvester functions with a single programmable input button providing single-touch actuation. The input button is programmable to return the header height to a preset height value in addition to controlling position of one or more additional accessories such as a double windrow attachment, a deck shifting set of drapers of the header, and/or a crop compressor attachment, etc. Programming of the input button uses navigational inputs to select which functions of the machine are associated with the button, followed by a press-and-hold actuation to set the preset value of all associated functions based on the current operating condition.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A harvesting machine comprising:
a harvesting vehicle mounted on ground wheels for movement across ground carrying a crop for harvesting;
a header having a cutter bar for cutting the crop and a crop transport device for transporting the cut crop to a collection location of the header;
a mounting assembly for carrying the header on the harvesting vehicle;
a computer controller including a memory storing programming instructions thereon, operator inputs for receiving operator commands, and a processor for executing the programming instructions stored on the memory responsive to the operator commands received through the operator inputs;
the operator inputs of the computer controller including a programmable input and at least one navigational input independent of the programmable input; and
a plurality of operational actuators, each associated with a respective operating characteristic of the harvesting machine so as to be adapted to operate the operating characteristic at a selected operating value among a range of operating values as dictated by the computer controller;
the improvement comprising:
the programming instructions being executable by the processor so as to be arranged to:
(i) enable an operator to select one or more of the operational characteristics to be associated with the programmable input responsive to one or more operator commands received through the at least one navigational input;
(ii) assign a preset value within the range of operating values to at least one of the one or more operational characteristics associated with the programmable input based on a current operating value of the operational characteristic responsive to an operator command received through the programmable input; and
(iii) generate command signals for the operational actuators to subsequently return each of the operational characteristics associated with the programmable input from the selected operating value to the assigned preset value when the programmable input is actuated by the operator; and

wherein the operator command received through the programmable input to assign the preset values comprises the operator depressing an actuation button of the programmable input for a duration which exceeds a prescribed duration and wherein the actuation of the programmable button involves depressing the actuation button for a duration which is less than the prescribed duration, the programming instructions being arranged to allow the prescribed duration to be adjusted responsive to operator commands received through the at least one navigational input.

2. The harvesting machine according to claim 1 wherein one of the operational actuators comprises a header height actuator configured to adjust a height of the header relative to the harvesting vehicle by controllably varying the operating value and wherein the programming instructions are arranged to assign the preset value for the header responsive to the operator command received through the programmable input and generate a command signal to return the header from the selected operating value to the preset value when the programmable input is actuated by the operator.

3. The harvesting machine according to claim 2 wherein the computer controller includes a display arranged to display the operating value to the operator, and wherein the programming instructions are arranged to indicate on the display when the operating value corresponds to the preset value.

4. The harvesting machine according to claim 2 further comprising:
a double windrow attachment supported on the harvesting vehicle for transporting the cut crop from the collection location on the header to an offset location towards one end of the header;
wherein one of the operational actuators comprises a double windrow attachment position actuator configured to adjust a position of the double windrow attachment relative to the harvesting vehicle responsive to the operating value associated with the double windrow attachment as dictated by the computer controller; and
wherein the programming instructions are arranged to assign the preset value for the double windrow attachment responsive to the operator command received through the programmable input, and generate a command signal to subsequently return the double windrow attachment from the selected operating value to the preset value when the programmable input is actuated by the operator.

5. The harvesting machine according to claim 4 wherein the programming instructions are arranged to generate the command signal to return the double windrow attachment position actuator to the preset value upon expiry of a timed duration following generation of the command signal to return the operating value of the header to the preset value in response to a single actuation of the programmable input.

6. The harvesting machine according to claim 5 wherein the timed duration is a variable value which is dependent upon an identified configuration of the header.

7. The harvesting machine according to claim 2 wherein:
the transport device on the header includes a set of drapers which are variable in configuration between a central discharge configuration, a left side discharge configuration and a right side discharge configuration;
wherein one of the operational actuators comprises a draper position actuator configured to vary the configuration of the drapers responsive to the operating value associated with the draper position actuator as dictated by the computer controller; and
wherein the programming instructions are arranged to assign the preset value for the draper position actuator based on a current configuration of the drapers when the draper position actuator is associated with the programmable input, and generate a command signal to subsequently return the draper position actuator from the selected operating value to the preset value when the programmable input is actuated by the operator.

8. The harvesting machine according to claim 7 wherein the programming instructions are arranged to generate the command signal to return the draper position actuator from the selected operating value to the preset value upon expiry of a timed duration following generation of the command signal to return the header to the preset value in response to a single actuation of the programmable input.

9. The harvesting machine according to claim 8 wherein the timed duration is a fixed value which is independent of the header configuration.

10. The harvesting machine according to claim 7 wherein the mounting assembly includes a pair of float actuators which are operable to apply a variable lifting force to the header throughout a range of floating movement of the header relative to the harvesting vehicle, and wherein the computer controller is arranged to operate each float actuator according to respective float values which are associated with the operating value of the draper position actuator, the programming instructions being arranged to generate command signals to return each float actuator to the respective float value associated with assigned preset value of the draper position actuator when the programmable input is actuated by the operator.

11. The harvesting machine according to claim 2 further comprising:
a crop compressor supported on the harvesting vehicle for compressing a windrow deposited on the ground by the harvesting machine;
wherein one of the operational actuators comprises a crop compressor height actuator configured to adjust a height of the crop compressor relative to the harvesting vehicle responsive to the operating value associated with the crop compressor as dictated by the computer controller; and
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Assignees

• Macdon Ind Ltd
• Macdon Ind

Inventors

• Baldwin John
• Rakhshani Fatmehsari Younes
• Foster Benjamin
• Bergman Leonard

Classifications

• A01D34/54

  Cutting-height adjustment · CPC title

• A01D34/008

  for automated or remotely controlled operation · CPC title

• A01D34/006

  Control or measuring arrangements · CPC title

• A01D41/141 Primary

  Automatic header control · CPC title

• A01D41/06

  Combines with headers · CPC title