Patent Description:
A harvester may be used to harvest crops, such as barley, beans, beets, carrots, corn, cotton, flax, oats, potatoes, rye, soybeans, wheat, or other plant crops. During operation of the harvester, the harvesting process may begin by removing a portion of a plant from a field using a header of the harvester. The header may cut the plant and transport the cut crops to a processing system of the harvester.

Certain headers include a cutter bar assembly configured to cut a portion of each crop (e.g., a stalk), thereby separating the cut crop from the soil. The cutter bar assembly may extend along a substantial portion of a width of the header at a forward end of the header. The header may also include one or more conveyors (e.g., belts) positioned behind the cutter bar assembly relative to a direction of travel of the harvester. The belt(s) are configured to transport the cut crops to an inlet (e.g., central inlet) of the processing system. For example, lateral belts laterally transport cut crops towards a centrally located infeed belt that transports the crop rearward into the harvester's feeder.

Certain headers may also include a reel assembly, which may include a reel having multiple fingers extending from a central framework. The central framework is driven to rotate, such that the fingers move in a circular pattern. The fingers are configured to engage the crops, thereby preparing the crops to be cut by the cutter bar assembly and/or urging the cut crops to move toward the belt(s).

Occasionally, during harvesting, a large slug of crop can feed onto the center section and lodge itself there or between the lateral belts and the infeed belt. Typically, to remove the slug of crop, an operator operates the harvester in a "de-slug" mode where all of the belts (lateral belts and infeed belt) are reversed in direction and the reel may also be reversed. However, this "de-slug" mode is time consuming since the entire threshing system of the harvester needs to be slowed to a stop before reversing directions.

These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter, but rather these embodiments are intended only to provide a brief summary of possible forms of the disclosure. Indeed, the disclosure may encompass a variety of forms that may be similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below.

In certain embodiments, an agricultural system includes a header. The header includes a frame, a first lateral conveyor coupled to the frame, and a second lateral conveyor coupled to the frame. The first and second lateral conveyors are configured to laterally transport crop material towards a central crop-receiving aperture in a first direction. The header also includes actuators configured to adjust a speed and a direction of the first and second lateral conveyors. The agricultural system also includes a controller configured to receive an input from an input device that causes the controller to automatically link the speed and the direction of the first and second lateral conveyors to a vehicle speed and a vehicle direction of an agricultural vehicle that the header is coupled to. The controller is also configured to provide, when receiving the input, a control signal to the actuators that alters the speed and the direction of the first and second lateral conveyors in response to changes in the vehicle speed and the vehicle direction.

In certain embodiments, a method for operating lateral conveyors on a header of an agricultural vehicle includes receiving an input from an input device that causes a controller to automatically link a speed and a direction of both a first lateral conveyor and a second lateral conveyor to a vehicle speed and a vehicle direction of the agricultural vehicle. The first and second lateral conveyors are coupled to a frame of the header and are configured to laterally transport crop material towards a central crop-receiving aperture in a first direction. The method also includes providing, when receiving the input, a control signal to actuators coupled to the first and second lateral conveyors that alters the speed and the direction of the first and second lateral conveyors in response to changes in the vehicle speed and the vehicle direction.

In certain embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium includes executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, are configured to cause the processor to perform acts. The acts include receiving an input from an input device to automatically link a speed and a direction of both a first lateral conveyor and a second lateral conveyor to a vehicle speed and a vehicle direction of an agricultural vehicle. The first and second lateral conveyors are coupled to a frame of a header coupled to the agricultural vehicle and the first and second lateral conveyors are configured to laterally transport crop material towards a central crop-receiving aperture in the first direction. The acts also include providing, when receiving the input, a control signal to actuators coupled to the first and the second lateral conveyors that alters the speed and the direction of the first and second lateral conveyors in response to changes in the vehicle speed and the vehicle direction.

The process of farming typically begins with planting seeds within a field. Over time, the seeds grow and eventually become harvestable crops. Typically, only a portion of each crop is commercially valuable, so each crop is harvested to separate the usable material from the remainder of the crop. For example, a harvester may cut agricultural crops within a field via a header. The header may also gather the cut agricultural crops into a processing system of the harvester for further processing. The processing system may include a threshing machine configured to thresh the agricultural crops, thereby separating the crops into certain desired agricultural materials, such as grain, and material other than grain (MOG). The desired agricultural materials may be sifted and then accumulated into a tank. When the tank fills to capacity, the materials may be collected from the tank. The MOG may then be discarded from the harvester (e.g., via a spreader).

The header may cut crops from the field that are encompassed within a width of the header. The header may include a cutter bar assembly that extends along at least a portion of the width of the header, and the cutter bar assembly may use blades to cut the crops. The cut crops may fall onto the header, and the cut crops may be gathered together, such as via conveyors (e.g., belt(s)) that run across the header. For example, lateral belts laterally transport cut crops towards a centrally located infeed belt that transports the crop rearward into the harvester's feeder. The gathered agricultural crops may then be transported into the processing system of the harvester.

Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments relate generally to systems and methods that enable a speed and a direction of the lateral conveyors (e.g., lateral belts) of a header to be automatically linked to a vehicle speed and a vehicle direction of an agricultural vehicle (e.g., harvester) having the header. Thus, the speed and the direction of the lateral belts will alter in response to changes in the vehicle speed and the vehicle direction when automatically linked. For example, in order to "de-slug" a slug of crop from the center section, an input may be received from an input device (e.g., depression of and holding of a button such as a shift button on a multi-function handle in an operator station of the agricultural vehicle) that causes the automatic linkage. During the automatic linkage, if the agricultural vehicle reverses, the lateral belts reverse direction; if the agricultural vehicle stops, the lateral belts stop; if the agricultural vehicle changes speed, the lateral belts change speed. Once the crop is dislodged, the input from the input device may cease (e.g., pressing of the button stopped) and the operator can return the agricultural vehicle to normal operation (where both the speed and the direction of the laterals belts will not be automatically linked to both the vehicle speed and the vehicle direction). The disclosed embodiments enable an operator to perform the automatic linkage function while simultaneously slowing the agricultural vehicle to a stop to enable the reversal of the lateral belts.

With the foregoing in mind, <FIG> is a side view of an embodiment of an agricultural system <NUM>, which may be an agricultural vehicle such as a harvester. Operations of the agricultural system <NUM> may be operated by an operator in an operator cabin. The agricultural system <NUM> includes a chassis <NUM> configured to support a header <NUM> and an agricultural crop processing system <NUM>. As described in greater detail below, the header <NUM> is configured to cut crops and to transport the cut crops toward an inlet <NUM> of the agricultural crop processing system <NUM> for further processing of the cut crops. The agricultural crop processing system <NUM> receives the cut crops from the header <NUM> and separates desired crop material from crop residue. For example, the agricultural crop processing system <NUM> may include a thresher <NUM> having a cylindrical threshing rotor that transports the crops in a helical flow path through the agricultural system <NUM>. In addition to transporting the crops, the thresher <NUM> may separate certain desired crop material (e.g., grain) from the crop residue, such as husks and pods, and may enable the desired crop material to flow into a cleaning system <NUM> (such as sieves) located beneath the thresher <NUM>. The cleaning system <NUM> may remove debris from the desired crop material and transport the desired crop material to a storage tank <NUM> within the agricultural system <NUM>. When the storage tank <NUM> is full, a tractor with a trailer on the back may pull alongside the agricultural system <NUM>. The desired crop material collected in the storage tank <NUM> may be carried up by an elevator and dumped out of an unloader <NUM> into the trailer. The crop residue may be transported from the thresher <NUM> to a crop residue handling system <NUM>, which may process (e.g., chop/shred) and remove the crop residue from the agricultural system <NUM> via a crop residue spreading system <NUM> positioned at an aft end of the agricultural system <NUM>. To facilitate discussion, the agricultural system <NUM> and/or its components may be described with reference to a lateral axis or direction <NUM>, a longitudinal axis or direction <NUM>, and a vertical axis or direction <NUM>. The agricultural system <NUM> and/or its components may also be described with reference to a direction of travel <NUM>.

As discussed in detail below, the header <NUM> includes a cutter bar assembly <NUM> configured to cut the crops within the field. The header <NUM> also includes a reel assembly <NUM> configured to engage the crops to prepare the crops to be cut by the cutter bar assembly <NUM> and/or to urge crops cut by the cutter bar assembly <NUM> onto a conveyor system that directs the cut crops toward the inlet <NUM> of the agricultural crop processing system <NUM>. The reel assembly <NUM> includes a reel having multiple fingers extending from a central framework. The central framework is driven to rotate such that the fingers engage the crops and urge the crops toward the cutter bar assembly <NUM> and the conveyor system. Additionally, the reel may be supported by multiple arms (e.g., reel arms) that are coupled to a frame <NUM> of the header <NUM>. Each of the arms may be coupled to the frame <NUM> via a respective pivot joint. For example, one pivot joint is configured to enable a first arm of the multiple arms to pivot (e.g., about the lateral axis <NUM>) relative to the frame <NUM>, and another pivot joint is configured to enable a second arm of the multiple arms to pivot (e.g., about the lateral axis <NUM>) relative to the frame <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an embodiment of the header <NUM> that may be employed within the agricultural system <NUM> of <FIG>. In the illustrated embodiment, the header <NUM> includes the cutter bar assembly <NUM> configured to cut a portion of each crop (e.g., a stalk), thereby separating the crop from the soil. The cutter bar assembly <NUM> is positioned at a forward end of the header <NUM> relative to the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the header <NUM>. As illustrated, the cutter bar assembly <NUM> extends along a substantial portion of the width of the header <NUM> (e.g., along the lateral axis <NUM>). The cutter bar assembly <NUM> includes a blade support, a stationary guard assembly, and a moving blade assembly. The moving blade assembly is fixed to the blade support (e.g., above the blade support along the vertical axis <NUM> of the header <NUM>), and the blade support/moving blade assembly is driven to oscillate relative to the stationary guard assembly. In the illustrated embodiment, the blade support/moving blade assembly is driven to oscillate by a driving mechanism <NUM> positioned at a center of the header <NUM>. However, in other embodiments, the blade support/moving blade assembly may be driven by another suitable mechanism (e.g., located at any suitable position on the header <NUM>). As the agricultural system <NUM> is driven through the field, the cutter bar assembly <NUM> engages crops within the field, and the moving blade assembly cuts the crops (e.g., the stalks of the crops) in response to engagement of the cutter bar assembly <NUM> with the crops.

In the illustrated embodiment, the header <NUM> includes a first conveyor section <NUM> (e.g., lateral belt or lateral conveyor belt) on a first lateral side of the header <NUM> and a second conveyor section <NUM> (e.g., lateral belt or lateral conveyor belt) on a second lateral side of the header <NUM> opposite the first lateral side. The conveyor sections <NUM> and <NUM> are coupled to the frame <NUM> of the header <NUM>. The conveyor sections <NUM>, <NUM> may be separate from one another. For instance, the first conveyor section <NUM> may extend along a portion of a width of the header <NUM> and the second conveyor section <NUM> may extend along another portion of the width of the header <NUM>. Each conveyor section <NUM>, <NUM> is driven to rotate by a suitable drive mechanism (e.g., actuator), such as an electric motor or a hydraulic motor. The first conveyor section <NUM> and the second conveyor section <NUM> are driven such that a top surface of each conveyor section <NUM>, <NUM> moves laterally inward (e.g., in a direction indicated by arrows <NUM>) to a center conveyor section <NUM> (e.g., infeed belt or infeed conveyor belt) positioned between the first conveyor section <NUM> and the second conveyor section <NUM> along the lateral axis <NUM>. The center conveyor section <NUM> is coupled to the frame <NUM> of the header <NUM>. The center conveyor section <NUM> may also be driven to rotate by a suitable drive mechanism (e.g., actuator), such as an electric motor or a hydraulic motor. The center conveyor section <NUM> is driven such that the top surface of the center conveyor section <NUM> moves rearwardly relative to the direction of travel <NUM> toward the inlet. As a result, the conveyor sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> transport the cut crops through the inlet to the agricultural crop processing system for further processing of the cut crops. Although the illustrated header <NUM> includes two conveyor sections <NUM>, <NUM> configured to direct crops laterally toward the center conveyor section <NUM>, there may be any suitable number of conveyor sections in additional or alternative embodiments directing the crops toward the center conveyor section.

In the illustrated embodiment, the crops cut by the cutter bar assembly <NUM> are directed toward the conveyor sections <NUM>, <NUM> at least in part by the reel assembly <NUM>, thereby substantially reducing the possibility of the cut crops falling onto the surface of the field. The reel assembly <NUM> includes a reel <NUM> having multiple fingers or tines <NUM> extending from a central framework <NUM>. The central framework <NUM> is driven to rotate such that the fingers <NUM> move (e.g., in a circular pattern). The fingers <NUM> are configured to engage the crops and urge the cut crops toward the conveyor sections <NUM>, <NUM> to facilitate transportation of the cut crops to the agricultural crop processing system.

In certain embodiments, during normal operations of an agricultural vehicle, a speed of the lateral belts <NUM>, <NUM> and/or the reel <NUM> may be linked to a ground speed of the agricultural vehicle. However, even if the vehicle is slowed to a stop, the lateral belts <NUM>, <NUM> and the reel <NUM> maintain a minimum set threshold speed that keeps the laterals belts <NUM>, <NUM> and the reel <NUM> moving. This keeps the reel <NUM> and the lateral belts <NUM>, <NUM> from stopping with the agricultural vehicle, while still tracking to the optimal speed during harvesting operations.

As discussed below, in order to dislodge crop near the center section, a speed and a direction of the laterals belts <NUM>, <NUM> (not the infeed belt <NUM>) of the header <NUM> may be automatically linked to a vehicle speed and a vehicle direction of an agricultural vehicle having the header <NUM>. Thus, the speed and the direction of the lateral belts <NUM>, <NUM> will alter in response to changes in the vehicle speed and the vehicle direction when automatically linked. For example, in order to "de-slug" a slug of crop from the center section, an input may be received from an input device (e.g., depression of and holding of a button such as a shift button on a multi-function handle in an operator cabin (e.g., operator cabin <NUM> in <FIG>) of the agricultural vehicle) that causes the automatic linkage. During the automatic linkage, if the agricultural vehicle reverses, the lateral belts <NUM>, <NUM> reverse direction (as indicated by arrows <NUM>); if the agricultural vehicle stops, the lateral belts <NUM>, <NUM> stop; if the agricultural vehicle changes speed, the lateral belts <NUM>, <NUM> change speed. Once the crop is dislodged, the input from the input device may cease (e.g., pressing of the button stopped) and the operator can return the agricultural vehicle to normal operation (where both the speed and the direction of the laterals belts <NUM>, <NUM> will not be automatically linked to both the vehicle speed and the vehicle direction). The disclosed embodiments enables an operator to perform the automatic linkage function while simultaneously slowing the agricultural vehicle to a stop to enable the reversal of the lateral belts <NUM>, <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram of an embodiment of a control system <NUM> (e.g., electronic control system) configured to control the laterals belts <NUM>, <NUM> of the header <NUM> of <FIG>. In the illustrated embodiment, the control system <NUM> includes a controller <NUM> having a memory <NUM> and a processor <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may be any type of non-transitory machine readable medium for storing data and executable instructions, such as random-access memory, read-only memory, rewritable flash memory, hard drives, optical discs, and the like. The processor <NUM> may execute instructions stored on the memory <NUM>. For example, the memory <NUM> may contain machine readable code, such as instructions, that may be executed by the processor <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> is configured to control a direction and a speed of the laterals belts <NUM>, <NUM> via control signals sent to actuators <NUM>, <NUM> coupled to the laterals belts <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively. In certain embodiments, during normal operations, the controller <NUM> may operate the laterals belts <NUM>, <NUM> under an automatic belt speed mode. In the automatic belt speed mode, the speed of the lateral belts <NUM>, <NUM> is linked to the ground speed of the agricultural vehicle. However, during the automatic belt speed mode, if the agricultural vehicle is slowed to a stop, the controller <NUM> will keep the lateral belts moving at a set minimum threshold speed. The set minimum threshold speed keeps the lateral belts <NUM>, <NUM> from stopping with the agricultural vehicle, while still tracking to the optimal speed during harvest operations.

In certain embodiments, in response to a received input, the controller <NUM> automatically links the speed and the direction of the laterals belts <NUM>, <NUM> (but not the infeed belt) of the header <NUM> to a vehicle speed and a vehicle direction of an agricultural vehicle having the header <NUM>. Thus, the speed and the direction of the lateral belts <NUM>, <NUM> will alter in response to changes in the vehicle speed and the vehicle direction when automatically linked. For example, in order to "de-slug" a slug of crop from the center section, an input may be received that causes the automatic linkage. During the automatic linkage, if the agricultural vehicle reverses, the lateral belts <NUM>, <NUM> reverse direction (e.g., away from the center section); if the agricultural vehicle stops, the lateral belts <NUM>, <NUM> stop; if the agricultural vehicle changes speed, the lateral belts <NUM>, <NUM> change speed. Once the crop is dislodged, the received input may cease and the operator can return the agricultural vehicle to normal operation (where both the speed and the direction of the laterals belts <NUM>, <NUM> will not be automatically linked to both the vehicle speed and the vehicle direction).

In some embodiments, an operator may provide an input (e.g., via an input device <NUM> coupled to the controller <NUM>) that causes the automatic linkage of the speed and the direction of the laterals belts <NUM>, <NUM> (but not the infeed belt) of the header <NUM> to the vehicle speed and the vehicle direction of an agricultural vehicle having the header <NUM>. For example, as depicted in <FIG>, the input device <NUM> may be a button <NUM> (e.g., shift button) located on a multi-function handle <NUM> (having multiple buttons <NUM> for other functions) located in a cabin (e.g., on the right-hand side of the operator) of the agricultural vehicle. During normal operation, the button <NUM> does not perform any function unless pressed in combination with another function button (e.g., one of the buttons <NUM>). When the operator wants to dislodge crop from the central section, the operator presses and holds the button to provide the input signal to the controller <NUM> that causes the automatic linkage of the speed and the direction of the laterals belts <NUM>, <NUM> to the vehicle speed and the vehicle direction of an agricultural vehicle. As long as the button <NUM> is being pressed, the input signal will be provided to the controller <NUM>. The presence of the button <NUM> on the multi-function handle <NUM> enables the operator to activate the automatic linkage function while simultaneously slowing the agricultural vehicle to a stop to enable the reversal of the lateral belts <NUM>, <NUM>. In addition, the operator may control certain functions (controlling the vehicle speed and direction) of the agricultural vehicle while enabling the automatic linkage function. Once the crop is dislodged, the operator ceases pressing the button <NUM> and, thus, ceases providing the input signal to the controller <NUM>, which causes the automatic linkage to cease. In certain embodiments, the button <NUM> may be located on a different handle or multi-function handle (e.g., located on the lefthand side of the operator). In certain embodiments, the button <NUM> may not be associated with any handle but located somewhere else within the cabin. In certain embodiments, the button <NUM> may only need to be pressed (and not held) to activate the automatic linkage function and then pressed again to deactivate the automatic linkage function. In certain embodiments, the input device may be a switch (e.g., toggle switch), an icon on a touch screen, or some other input device.

Returning to <FIG>, the actuators <NUM>, <NUM> for the lateral belts <NUM>, <NUM> may be any suitable drive mechanism. In certain embodiments, the drive mechanism may be an electric motor. In other embodiments, the drive mechanism may be a hydraulic motor. In certain embodiments, the lateral belts <NUM>, <NUM> may be hydraulically controlled. For example, a proportional flow control valve may be utilized in series with a directional control valve. To change belt direction, the following may occur: <NUM>) reduce belt speed to zero utilizing the flow control valve, <NUM>) change direction using the directional control valve, and <NUM>) increase belt speed in the opposite direction (e.g., direction <NUM> in <FIG>). The process may be performed in reverse to return to a forward speed (i.e., moving the belt in direction <NUM> in <FIG>).

<FIG> is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method <NUM> for operating the lateral belts <NUM>, <NUM> that may be employed with the header <NUM> of <FIG>. It should be noted that although the method <NUM> is described below in a particular order, it should be understood that the method <NUM> may be performed in any suitable order. The method <NUM> may be performed by the controller <NUM> in <FIG> or another suitable computing device.

The method <NUM> includes receiving an input from an input device (e.g., button <NUM> on the multi-function handle <NUM> in <FIG>) (block <NUM>). The method <NUM> also includes (simultaneous with and in response to receiving the input) automatically linking a speed and a direction of the lateral belts (e.g., lateral belts <NUM>, <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>) to a vehicle speed and a vehicle direction of an agricultural vehicle having a header with the lateral belts (block <NUM>). In certain embodiments, the automatic linkage continues until the receiving of the input ceases (e.g., until the button <NUM> on the multi-function handle <NUM> in <FIG> is no longer pressed and held). The method <NUM> further includes providing a control signal, when receiving the input, to the actuators (e.g., actuators <NUM>, <NUM> in <FIG>) of the lateral belts to alter the speed and direction of the lateral belts in response to changes in the vehicle speed and the vehicle direction (block <NUM>). For example, during the automatic linkage, if the agricultural vehicle reverses, the lateral belts reverse direction (e.g., direction <NUM> in <FIG>); if the agricultural vehicle stops, the lateral belts stop; if the agricultural vehicle changes speed (e.g., increases or decreases), the lateral belts change speed (e.g., increases or decreases). Blocks <NUM>-<NUM> of the method <NUM> may be utilized to dislodge crop form a center portion of the header (e.g., at the inlet feed belt or between the inlet feed belt and the lateral belts).

The method <NUM> include, once the crop is dislodged, ceasing the input from the input device (e.g., ceasing the pressing and holding of the button <NUM> in <FIG>) (block <NUM>). The method <NUM> further includes (simultaneous with and in response to no longer receiving the input) ceasing the automatic linkage between the speed and the direction of the lateral belts to the vehicle speed and the vehicle direction of the agricultural vehicle (block <NUM>). The operator can return the agricultural vehicle to normal operation (where both the speed and the direction of the laterals belts will not be automatically linked to both the vehicle speed and the vehicle direction). In certain embodiments, during normal operations of the agricultural vehicle, the speed of the lateral belts may be linked to a ground speed of the agricultural vehicle but, even if the vehicle is slowed to a stop, the lateral belts maintain a minimum set threshold speed that keeps the laterals belts moving. This keeps the lateral belts from stopping with the agricultural vehicle, while still tracking to the optimal speed during harvesting operations.

It should be noted that the techniques disclosed above may apply to other lateral conveyors for laterally transporting crop material. For example, a rotational direction (e.g., affecting the direction of travel of the crop material) and speed of one or more augers (lateral conveyors) may be automatically linked to the vehicle speed and the vehicle direction as described above.

Claim 1:
An agricultural system (<NUM>) comprising:
- an agricultural vehicle;
- a header (<NUM>), coupled to the agricultural vehicle and comprising:
- a frame (<NUM>);
- a first lateral conveyor (<NUM>) coupled to the frame (<NUM>);
- a second lateral conveyor (<NUM>) coupled to the frame (<NUM>), wherein the first and second lateral conveyors (<NUM>, <NUM>) are configured to laterally transport crop material towards a central crop-receiving aperture in a first direction; and
- actuators (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to adjust a speed and a direction of the first and second lateral conveyors (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
- a controller (<NUM>), the agricultural system (<NUM>) being characterized in that the controller (<NUM>) is configured to:
- receive an input from an input device (<NUM>) that causes the controller (<NUM>) to automatically link the speed and the direction of the first and second lateral conveyors (<NUM>, <NUM>) to a vehicle speed and a vehicle direction of the agricultural vehicle; and
- provide, when receiving the input, a control signal to the actuators (<NUM>, <NUM>) that alters the speed and the direction of the first and second lateral conveyors (<NUM>, <NUM>) in response to changes in the vehicle speed and the vehicle direction.