초록 ▼

A header height control system and a method for improving the responsiveness of a header height control system. A height sensor is disposed with respect to the header to generate a signal varying in magnitude with respect to changes in distance between a preestablished point on the header and the gr

A header height control system and a method for improving the responsiveness of a header height control system. A height sensor is disposed with respect to the header to generate a signal varying in magnitude with respect to changes in distance between a preestablished point on the header and the ground. The magnitude of the generated signal when the header is at a predefined set point is determined. For generated signal magnitudes indicating the header is below the set point, the signal magnitudes are operably modified by applying a gain value. For generated signal magnitudes indicating the header is above the set point, the signal magnitudes may be modified by applying a different gain value. The application of a gain value or different gain values depending on the height of the header above or below the set point improves the responsiveness of the header height control system to changes in terrain.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A method for improving the responsiveness of a header height control system during harvesting operations when the header is being operated at a height where the header's pivotable crop dividers begin, or are near to beginning, to pivot about their pivot points, said met

The invention claimed is: 1. A method for improving the responsiveness of a header height control system during harvesting operations when the header is being operated at a height where the header's pivotable crop dividers begin, or are near to beginning, to pivot about their pivot points, said method comprising: operably mounting a height sensor to the header, said height sensor generating a signal variable in magnitude corresponding to changes in height relative to a ground surface; determining a magnitude of said generated signal where the header's pivotable crop dividers begin, or are near to beginning, to pivot about their pivot points (a “Set Point B Position”); as the harvester traverses a field during harvesting operations, monitoring said generated signal magnitudes of said height sensor; and for said generated signal magnitudes indicating that said header is below said Set Point B Position, operably modifying those said signal magnitudes, whereby said modified signals improve responsiveness of the header height control system when the header is operated at a height where the header's pivotable crop dividers begin, or are near to beginning, to pivot about their pivot points. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein at about said Set Point B Position there is a discontinuity in a plot of said generated signal magnitudes for header heights from a high point (a “Set Point A Position”) to a low point (a “Set Point C Position”). 3. The method of claim 2 wherein said discontinuity is a change from a first slope to a second slope. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of modifying said generated signal magnitudes indicating that said header is below said Set Point B Position includes operably applying a first gain value to said generated signal magnitudes. 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising: for said generated signal magnitudes indicating that said header is above said Set Point B Position, operably applying a second gain value to those said generated signal magnitudes. 6. The method of claim 5 wherein said first gain value is greater than said second gain value. 7. The method of claim 5 wherein said first gain value is between about one and ten times greater than said second gain value. 8. The method of claim 1 wherein said height sensor is a height sensing arm comprising a pivotable arm coupled to a rotation sensor. 9. The method of claim 1 wherein said height sensor is a non-contact sensor. 10. The method of claim 8 wherein said header is a corn header. 11. The method of claim 10 wherein said height sensing arm is disposed forwardly of said pivot point of said pivotable crop divider. 12. The method of claim 9 wherein said header is a corn header. 13. The method of claim 12 wherein said non-contact sensor is disposed forwardly of said pivot point of said pivotable crop divider. 14. The method of claim 1 further comprising: disposing at least one other sensor to operably automatically determine when the header is moved to said Set Point A Position, to said Set Point B Position and to said Set Point C Position. 15. The method of claim 14 wherein said at least one other sensor is a contact sensor. 16. The method of claim 14 wherein said at least one other sensor is a rotational sensor. 17. The method of claim 1 wherein said height sensor is a height sensing arm comprising a pivotable arm coupled to a rotation sensor. 18. The method of claim 1 wherein said height sensor is a non-contact sensor. 19. The method of claim 17 wherein said height sensing arm is disposed forwardly of said pivot point of said pivotable crop divider. 20. The method of claim 18 wherein said non-contact sensor is disposed forwardly of said pivot point of said pivotable crop divider. 21. A method for improving the responsiveness of a header height control system during harvesting operations when the header is being operated at a height where the header's pivotable crop dividers begin, or are near to beginning, to pivot about their pivot points, said method comprising: mounting a height sensor on the header, said height sensor generating signal magnitudes that vary in relation to height above a surface; moving the header above said surface between an elevated position (a “Set Point A Position”), a position at which the pivotable crop dividers begin, or are near to beginning, to pivot about their pivot points (a “Set Point B Position”), and a low position where said pivotable crop dividers are substantially pivoted about their pivot points (a “Set Point C Position”); determining said generated signal magnitude at said Set Point A Position (a “Set Point A Magnitude”), at said Set Point B Position (a “Set Point B Magnitude”) and at said Set Point C Position (a “Set Point C Magnitude”); as the harvester traverses a field during harvesting operations, monitoring said generated signal magnitudes in relation to said Set Point B Magnitude; and for said generated signal magnitudes indicating that said header is below said Set Point B Position, operably applying a first gain value to those said generated signal magnitudes to improve responsiveness of the header height control system when the header is operated at a height where the header's pivotable crop dividers begin, or are near to beginning, to pivot about their pivot points. 22. The method of claim 21 further comprising: for said generated signal magnitudes indicating that said header is above said Set Point B Position, operably applying a second gain value to those said generated signal magnitudes. 23. The method of claim 22 wherein said first gain value is greater than said second gain value. 24. The method of claim 22 wherein said first gain value is between about one and ten times greater than said second gain value. 25. The method of claim 21 further comprising: disposing at least one other sensor to operably automatically determine when the header is moved to said Set Point A Position, to said Set Point B Position and to said Set Point C Position. 26. The method of claim 25 wherein said at least one other sensor is a contact sensor. 27. The method of claim 25 wherein said at least one other sensor is a rotational sensor. 28. A method for improving the responsiveness of a control system for a harvester header when the header is being operated during harvesting operations with the header's pivotable crop divider snout at or near ground level, said method comprising: mounting a height sensor forwardly of a pivot point of at least one pivotable crop divider snout on the header, said height sensor generating signal magnitudes that vary in relation to height above a surface; moving the header above said surface to an elevated position (a “Set Point A Position”), to a position at which said at least one pivotable crop divider snout contacts, or is near to contacting, said surface (a “Set Point B Position”), to a position below said Set Point B Position (a “Set Point C Position”) and; determining said generated signal magnitude at said Set Point A Position (a “Set Point A Magnitude”), at said Set Point B Position (a “Set Point B Magnitude”) and at said Set Point C Position (a “Set Point C Magnitude”); determining a slope of said generated signal from said Set Point B Magnitude to said Set Point A Magnitude and from Set Point B Magnitude to Set Point C Magnitude; modifying said generated signal magnitudes with a gain value such that said slope of said generated signal from said Set Point B Magnitude to said Set Point C Magnitude approximates said slope of said generated signal from said Set Point B Magnitude to said Set Point A Magnitude, thereby improving the responsiveness of the control system for the harvester header when the header is being operated at or below said Set Point B Position. 29. The method of claim 28 further comprising: disposing at least one other sensor to automatically determine when said header is moved to said Set Point A Position, to said Set Point B Position and to said Set Point C Position. 30. The method of claim 29 wherein said at least one other sensor is a contact sensor. 31. The method of claim 29 wherein said at least one other sensor is a rotational sensor. 32. The method of claim 29 wherein said Set Point A Magnitude, said Set Point B Magnitude and said Set Point C Magnitude are automatically recorded when said at least one other sensor determines when said header is moved to Set Point A Position, said Set Point B Position and said Set Point C Position. 33. The method of claim 28 wherein said height sensor is a height sensing arm comprising a pivotable arm coupled to a rotation sensor.