초록 ▼

A system and method for managing the electrical control system of a header flotation and lift system of an agricultural harvesting machine, particularly one using only once fluid cylinder in connection with each respective side of the header, which system and method, in addition to executing header

A system and method for managing the electrical control system of a header flotation and lift system of an agricultural harvesting machine, particularly one using only once fluid cylinder in connection with each respective side of the header, which system and method, in addition to executing header raise and lower commands, provides several automatically executable operating modes for the flotation and lift system, including a wake-up mode; a normal mode, which can include float; a charge accumulator mode; a transport mode; and a header remove mode, and the ability to seamlessly and easily transition between the modes.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A header lift and flotation system interconnecting a header and frame of an agricultural harvesting machine, comprising: a hydraulic cylinder connecting the header to the frame and controllably operable for raising and lowering at least a portion of the header relative to the

What is claimed is: 1. A header lift and flotation system interconnecting a header and frame of an agricultural harvesting machine, comprising: a hydraulic cylinder connecting the header to the frame and controllably operable for raising and lowering at least a portion of the header relative to the frame; an electro-hydraulic circuit in fluid connection with the hydraulic cylinder, a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, an accumulator, and a fluid reservoir, the circuit including a first fluid path in connection with the cylinder and the source of pressurized fluid, a second fluid path in connection with the cylinder and the accumulator, and a third fluid path in connection with the second path, the source of pressurized fluid and the fluid reservoir, the first fluid path including at least one valve controllably operable for allowing pressurized fluid from the source of pressurized fluid to flow to the cylinder for raising the header, the second fluid path including at least one signal controlled valve controllably operable for connecting the cylinder in fluid communication with the accumulator in a flotation mode and with the third fluid path, the third fluid path including at least a signal controlled proportional pressure relief valve; and an electronic programmable controller connected to at least one input device for receiving inputs therefrom, and to the at least one signal controlled valve of the second fluid path and to the proportional pressure relief valve for outputting signals thereto, the controller being programmed so as to automatically control at least one valve of the second fluid path and the proportional pressure relief valve for allowing fluid flow from the cylinder to the fluid reservoir for lowering the header responsive to a first predetermined input; and control the proportional pressure relief valve for charging the accumulator to a pressure level for providing a predetermined flotation force, responsive to a second predetermined input. 2. The header lift and flotation system of claim 1, wherein the first input comprises a header raise command. 3. The header lift and flotation system of claim 1, wherein the second input comprises a flotation force input. 4. The header lift and flotation system of claim 3, wherein responsive to an inputted flotation force value for the flotation force being zero or about zero, the, controller is programmed to automatically operate in a header remove mode wherein the system will be controlled to hold the flotation force at the inputted value of zero or about zero, and thereafter, if the header lower command is present, then to control the system to execute the header lower command if a confirmation thereof is received. 5. The header lift and flotation system of claim 4, wherein when in the header remove mode, if the header raise command is present, the controller will continue to control the system, to hold the flotation force at the inputted value of zero or about zero. 6. The header lift and flotation system of claim 4, wherein if a park brake of the machine is on when operation in the header remove mode is commenced, the controller will automatically control the system to hold the flotation force at the inputted value of zero or about zero for a predetermined period of time. 7. The header lift and flotation system of claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed to automatically raise the header to a predetermined elevated transport position when at least the following conditions are present: the machine is operating in a high speed range; and a speed of the machine is above a predetermined level. 8. The header lift and flotation system of claim 7, wherein the controller is programmed to automatically operate in a flotation mode when the header is automatically raised to the elevated transport position. 9. The header lift and flotation system of claim 1, wherein the at least one input device comprises a float switch. 10. The header lift and flotation system of claim 1, wherein the control is programmed for automatically controlling the at least one valve of the second fluid path for allowing fluid flow between the cylinder and the accumulator in a flotation mode, while controlling the proportional pressure relief valve for maintaining a selectable flotation force, responsive to an inputted flotation force value. 11. A method of managing operation of a header lift and flotation system interconnecting a header and frame of an agricultural harvesting machine, comprising steps of: providing a hydraulic cylinder connecting the header to the frame and controllably operable for raising and lowering at least a portion of the header relative to the frame; providing an electro-hydraulic circuit in fluid connection with the hydraulic cylinder, a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, an accumulator, and a fluid reservoir, the circuit including a first fluid path in connection with the cylinder and the source of pressurized fluid, a second fluid path in connection with the cylinder and the accumulator, and a third fluid path in connection with the second path, the source of pressurized fluid and the fluid reservoir, the first fluid path including at least one valve controllably operable for allowing pressurized fluid from the source of pressurized fluid to flow to the cylinder for raising the header, the second fluid path including at least one signal controlled valve controllably operable for connecting the cylinder in fluid communication with the accumulator in a flotation mode and with the third fluid path, the third fluid path including at least a signal controlled proportional pressure relief valve; and providing an electronic programmable controller connected to at least one input device for receiving commands therefrom, and to the at least one signal controlled valve of the second fluid path and to the proportional pressure relief valve for outputting signals thereto; wherein when the system is inactive and a header raise command is received. the controller will automatically control the proportional pressure relief valve for charging the accumulator to provide a predetermined flotation force: and wherein when a header lower command is received, the controller will control the at least one valve of the second fluid path and the proportional pressure relief valve for allowing fluid flow from the cylinder to the fluid reservoir for lowering the header. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one input device comprises a switch for inputting a selectable value for the flotation force to the controller, including a value of zero or about zero and at least one value greater than about zero; and wherein when the flotation force is set to a value of zero or about zero, the controller will automatically operate in a header remove mode to control the system to hold the flotation force at the set value of zero or about zero, including when the header raise command is present, and if the header lower command is present, then output request for confirmation of the header lower command, and if the confirmation is received, then to execute the header lower command. 13. The method of claim 12 wherein if a park brake of the machine is on when operation in the header remove mode is commenced, the controller will automatically control the system to hold the flotation force at the inputted value of zero or about zero for a predetermined period of time.