SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A POSITION OF A REEL OF AN AGRICULTURAL HEADER

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to a reel assembly of an agricultural header.

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 the width of the header at a forward end of the header. The header may also include one or more belts positioned behind the cutter bar assembly relative to the direction of travel of the harvester. The belt(s) are configured to transport the cut crops to an inlet of the processing system.

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). The reel is typically supported by multiple arms extending from a frame of the header. The reel assembly may include one or more actuators configured to drive the arms to rotate, thereby adjusting the position of the reel relative to the frame of the header.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In certain embodiments, a header system for an agricultural harvester includes a first reel section, a second reel section, and a sensor configured to generate data indicative of a parameter related to a crop within a field. The header system also includes a controller configured to receive the data and to control a first actuator to adjust the first reel section independently from the second reel section based on the data as the agricultural harvester travels through the field.

In certain embodiments, a control system for an agricultural header includes a controller comprising a processor configured to receive an input of a desired height of a first reel section, receive an indication of a crop attribute, determine a desired adjustment of the first reel section based on the input and the indication, and adjust the first reel section by the desired adjustment and independent from a second reel section.

In certain embodiments, a method of independently controlling a section of a reel of an agricultural header includes receiving a first signal indicative of a current position of the section of the reel at one or more processors. The method also includes receiving a second signal indicative of a crop parameter at the one or more processors. The method further includes determining an adjustment for the section of the reel based on the first signal and the second signal using the one or more processors. The method further includes instructing an actuator to adjust the section of the reel independently from another section of the reel of the agricultural header using the one or more processors.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of an agricultural harvester;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a header that may be employed within the harvester of FIG. 1, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system that may be used to control a reel assembly of the header of FIG. 2, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of a portion of the reel assembly that may be employed within the header of FIG. 2, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the portion of the reel assembly of FIG. 4, wherein a section of the reel assembly is in a raised position;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a portion of the reel assembly that may be employed within the header of FIG. 2, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the portion of the reel assembly of FIG. 6, wherein a section of the reel assembly is in a rearward position; and

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for controlling a position of the reel assembly that may be employed within the header of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Any examples of operating parameters and/or environmental conditions are not exclusive of other parameters/conditions of the disclosed embodiments.

Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a harvester 100 (e.g., agricultural harvester) having a header 200 (e.g., agricultural header) with a reel assembly 220. The harvester 100 includes a chassis 110 configured to support the header 200 and an agricultural crop processing system 120. As described in greater detail below, the header 200 is configured to cut crops and to transport the crops to an inlet 121 of the agricultural crop processing system 120 for further processing of the cut crops. The agricultural crop processing system 120 receives crops from the header 200 and separates desired crop material from crop residue. For example, the agricultural crop processing system 120 may include a thresher 122 having a cylindrical threshing rotor that transports the crops in a helical flow path through the harvester 100. In addition to transporting crops, the thresher 122 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 located beneath the thresher 122. The cleaning system may remove debris from the desired crop material and transport the desired crop material to a storage compartment within the harvester 100. The crop residue may be transported from the thresher 122 to a crop residue handling system 130, which may remove the crop residue from the harvester 100 via a crop residue spreading system 131 positioned at the aft end of the harvester 100. To facilitate discussion, the harvester 100 and/or its components may be described with reference to a lateral axis or direction 140, a longitudinal axis or direction 142, and a vertical axis or direction 144. The harvester 100 and/or its components may also be described with reference to a direction of travel 146.

The header 200 includes a cutter bar assembly 210 configured to cut the crops within the field. The header 200 also includes a reel assembly 220 configured to engage the crops to prepare the crops to be cut by the cutter bar assembly 210 and/or to urge crops cut by the cutter bar assembly 210 onto belts that convey the cut crops toward the inlet 121 of the agricultural crop processing system 120. The reel assembly 220 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 210 and the belts. Additionally, the reel may be supported by multiple reel arms that are coupled to a frame 201 of the header 200. Each reel arm of the multiple reel arms may be coupled to the frame 201 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 140) relative to the frame 201 of to the header 200, and another pivot joint is configured to enable a second arm of the multiple arms to pivot (e.g., about the lateral axis 140) relative to the frame 201 of the header 200.

In the disclosed embodiments, the reel assembly 220 may include a sensor assembly (e.g., reel arm sensor assembly) having one or more sensors. In particular, at least one of the multiple reel arms may be coupled to a bracket (e.g., reel arm extension member) that supports a sensor. The sensor may be configured to facilitate detection of terrain features (e.g., a height, position, and/or density of the crops and/or surface features of the ground) as the harvester 100 travels through the field. For example, the sensor may be configured to detect the terrain features and to send a signal indicative of the terrain features to a controller (e.g., electronic controller) for processing.

In some embodiments, the reel assembly 220 may include actuators coupled to the header 200 and/or the reel arms. The actuators may be configured to move the reel arms (e.g., relative to the frame 201 of the header; via rotation at the pivot joints), and thus, the reel assembly 220, along the vertical axis 144 and/or the longitudinal axis 142 relative to the frame 201. In some embodiments, the reel assembly 220 may include multiple reel sections that move independently from one another. In such cases, the actuators may be configured to move the reel arms to thereby move the reel sections independently from one another. For example, each actuator may be a hydraulic cylinder that retracts a piston rod to raise one reel section relative to another reel section. Similarly, the hydraulic cylinder may extend the piston rod to lower the one reel section relative to another reel section. Also, the actuators may be configured to move the reel sections forward and aft relative to one another.

By independently adjusting the height (e.g., along the vertical axis 40) and position (e.g., forward and aft position; along the longitudinal axis 42) of the reel sections, each of the reel sections may be positioned at an appropriate position relative to the crop canopy and/or relative to the ground as the harvester 100 travels through the field. For example, an operator may provide an input (e.g., via a user interface in a cab of the harvester 100) to set a desired reel position relative to the crop canopy (e.g., desired reel height; set reel position; a distance below the crop canopy) for the reel sections of the reel assembly 220. However, as the harvester 100 travels through the field, the height of the crop canopy may change at a portion of the reel, such as at one reel section (e.g., forward of one reel section, at the portion of the field over which the one reel section may travel). In such cases, the sensor 252 may detect the height of the crop canopy at the one reel section and provide the signal indicative of the height of the crop canopy at the one reel section to the controller. Then, the controller may instruct the actuators to adjust the position of the one reel section to maintain the one reel section at the desired reel position (e.g., to maintain the one reel section at the distance below the crop canopy). In this way, the disclosed embodiments may maintain a substantially constant distance between each section of the reel assembly 220 and the crop canopy as the harvester 100 moves through the field. Various other features related to control of the reel sections of the reel assembly 220 are described in more detail below.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the header 200 that may be employed within the harvester 100 of FIG. 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the header 200 includes the cutter bar assembly 210 configured to cut a portion of each crop (e.g., a stalk), thereby separating the crop from the soil. The cutter bar assembly 210 is positioned at a forward end of the header 200 relative to the longitudinal axis 142 of the header 200. As illustrated, the cutter bar assembly 210 extends along a substantial portion of the width of the header 200 (e.g., the extent of the header 200 along the lateral axis 140). The cutter bar assembly 210 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 144 of the header 200), 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 211 positioned at the lateral center of the header 200. 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 200). As the harvester 100 is driven through the field, the cutter bar assembly 210 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 210 with the crops.

In the illustrated embodiment, the header 200 includes a first lateral belt 202 on a first lateral side of the header 200 and a second lateral belt 203 on a second lateral side of the header 200, opposite the first lateral side. Each belt is driven to rotate by a suitable drive mechanism, such as an electric motor or a hydraulic motor. The first lateral belt 202 and the second lateral belt 203 are driven such that the top surface of each belt moves laterally inward. In addition, the header 200 includes a longitudinal belt 204 positioned between the first lateral belt 202 and the second lateral belt 203 along the lateral axis 140. The longitudinal belt 204 is driven to rotate by a suitable drive mechanism, such as an electric motor or a hydraulic motor. The longitudinal belt 204 is driven such that the top surface of the longitudinal belt 204 moves rearwardly relative to the direction of travel 146.

In the illustrated embodiment, the crops cut by the cutter bar assembly 210 are directed toward the belts at least in part by the reel assembly 220, thereby substantially reducing the possibility of the cut crops falling onto the surface of the field. The reel assembly 220 includes a reel 221 having multiple fingers 222 extending from a central framework 223. The central framework 223 is driven to rotate such that the fingers 222 move (e.g., in a circular pattern). The fingers 222 are configured to engage the crops and urge the cut crops toward the belts. The cut crops that contact the top surface of the lateral belts 202, 203 are driven laterally inwardly to the longitudinal belt 204 due to the movement of the lateral belts 202, 203. In addition, cut crops that contact the longitudinal belt 204 and the cut crops provided to the longitudinal belt 204 by the lateral belts 202, 203 are driven rearwardly relative to the direction of travel 146 due to the movement of the longitudinal belt 204. Accordingly, the belts move the cut agricultural crops through an opening in the header 200 to the inlet 121 of the agricultural crop processing system 120 (FIG. 1).

In the illustrated embodiment, the reel 221 includes multiple sections coupled to one another. In particular, the reel 221 includes a center section 224 (e.g., positioned forward of a center section 205 of the frame 201 of the header 200 relative to the direction of travel 146), a first wing section 225, and a second wing section 226. In the illustrated embodiment, each section of the reel 221 is supported by one or more reel arms 227 that are coupled to the frame 201 of the header 200. While the reel 221 includes three sections 224, 225, 226 coupled to the frame 201 of the header 200 via four reel arms 227, it should be appreciated that the reel 221 may include any number of sections coupled to the frame 201 of the header 200 via any number of reel arms (e.g., one section coupled to the frame 201 of the header 200 via two or more reel arms; two sections coupled to the frame 201 of the header 200 via three or more reel arms; four sections coupled to the frame 201 of the header 200 via five or more reel arms).

Regardless of the number of reel arms 227, each reel arm 227 may be movably coupled to the frame 201 of the header 200. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, each reel arm 227 is pivotally coupled to the frame 201 of the header 200 via a respective pivot joint 229. The pivot joints 229 are configured to enable the reel arms 227 to pivot (e.g., about the lateral axis 140) relative to the frame 201 of the header 200. An actuator 228 may be coupled to each reel arm 227 and configured to drive the respective reel arm 227 to move (e.g., rotate about the pivot joint 229), thereby controlling a position of the reel 221 (e.g., including independently controlling respective positions of the reel sections 224, 225, 226 of the reel 221) relative to the frame 201 of the header 200 along the vertical axis 144. Such a configuration may enable the reel 221 to be positioned at an appropriate position (e.g., to maintain a substantially constant distance between each reel section 224, 225, 226 of the reel 221 and the crop canopy) along the vertical axis 144, and to thereby engage the crops to prepare the crops to be cut by the cutter bar assembly 210 and/or to urge the cut crops toward the belts 202, 203, 204, for example. In some embodiments, each section 224, 225, 226 of the reel 221 may also be configured to slide along its respective reel arm(s) 227 to move along the longitudinal axis 142 relative to the frame 201 of the header 200. In this way, each section 224, 225, 226 may be adjusted to be appropriately positioned forward of the cutter bar assembly 210 relative to the direction of travel 146 to enable the reel assembly 220 to engage the crop to prepare the crop to be cut by the cutter bar assembly 210, for example.

As noted above, the reel assembly 220 may include the sensor assembly 250. The sensor assembly 250 may include one or more brackets 251 (e.g., reel arm extension) and one or more sensors 252. The one or more sensors 252 may be configured to facilitate detection of terrain features, such as a height, a position, and/or a density of the crops and/or surface features of the ground, as the harvester 100 travels through the field. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the reel arms 227 is coupled to a respective bracket 251 that supports a respective sensor 252. However, only some of the reel arms 227 may be coupled to a respective bracket 251 that supports a respective sensor 252. For example, only the laterally-outer reel arms 227 may be coupled to a respective bracket 251 and a respective sensor 252, only the laterally-inner reel arm(s) 227 may be coupled to a respective bracket 251 and a respective sensor 252, and/or every other reel arm 227 (e.g., non-adjacent or alternating arms) may be coupled to a respective bracket 251 and a respective sensor 252. As discussed in more detail below, regardless of the number of brackets 251 and sensors 252 included in the sensor assembly 250, the sensors 252 may monitor the terrain features forward of the header 200 as the harvester 100 travels through the field. It should be appreciated that the sensors 252 may additionally or alternatively be coupled to the frame 201 of the header 200 (e.g., the brackets 251 may be fastened to the frame 201 of the header 200) and/or may be coupled to the harvester 100.

As the header 200 travels through the field, the sensors 252 of the sensor assembly 250 may monitor the terrain features forward of the header 200. As noted above, the terrain features may include a height of the crops (e.g., a crop canopy height; a height of the crops relative to the ground), a position of the crops (e.g., an orientation or angle of the crops relative to the ground, such as whether the crops are leaning toward or away from the header 200), and/or a density of the crops (e.g., a density of the crop canopy). As discussed below, the sensors 252 may provide sensor signals indicative of the terrain features to a control system (e.g., electronic control system), which may process the sensor signals to determine the appropriate position for each reel arm 227 and may output control signals to the actuators 228 to adjust each reel arm 227 to the appropriate position. In this way, the reel sections 224, 225, 226 may be adjusted based on (e.g., in response to) the terrain features as the header 200 travels through the field.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an embodiment of a control system 300 (e.g., electronic control system) configured to control each actuator 228 coupled to the reel arms 227 of the reel assembly 220. In the illustrated embodiment, the control system 300 includes a controller 302 having a memory 304 and a processor 306. The memory 304 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 306 may execute instructions stored on the memory 304. For example, the memory 304 may contain machine readable code, such as instructions, that may be executed by the processor 84. In some embodiments, the memory 304 and processor 306 may enable automatic (e.g., processor/memory controlled) operation of the header 200, including automatic adjustment of the reel assembly 220 based on the terrain features. As will be described below, the controller 302 is configured to control a hydraulic control system 310 to adjust the height and/or the position of the reel sections 224, 225, 226 based on operator inputs, data from the sensors 252, pre-loaded design conditions, and the like.

As mentioned above, in the illustrated embodiment, the actuators 228 are hydraulic cylinders. The hydraulic control system 310 is configured to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from the actuators 228. For instance, the hydraulic control system 310 may include tanks, pumps, and/or valves configured to regulate the flow of hydraulic fluid to the actuators 228. In the illustrated embodiment, the hydraulic control system 88 regulates the flow of the hydraulic fluid to the actuators 228 to adjust the position of the actuators 228, and thus, the position of the reel arms 227 (and the independent reel sections coupled thereto) based on control signals received from the controller 302.

As mentioned above, the sensors 252 are communicatively coupled to the controller 302. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensors 252 are ultrasonic transducers configured to send and receive acoustic energy to/from the agricultural field 12. However, any other suitable type of sensor that is capable of detecting the terrain features may be utilized. The sensors 252 may act as a height sensor configured to obtain data indicative of the height of a crop canopy. Additionally or alternatively, the sensors 252 may be configured to obtain data indicative of the position of the crop canopy and/or the density of the crop canopy. Additionally or alternatively, the sensors 252 may act as an obstacle sensor and/or ground contour sensor configured to determine the ground contour of the field.

The control system 300 is configured to receive the data (e.g., signals) from the sensors 252, process the data, determine an appropriate position for each reel arm 227 of the reel assembly 220 (e.g., that achieves an appropriate position for each section 224, 225, 226 of the reel assembly 220, such as to maintain the desired reel position at the set distance below the crop canopy), and to provide control signals to the hydraulic control system 310 to adjust the position of the actuators 228 to drive each reel arm 227 to the respective appropriate position as the harvester 100 travels through the field of crops based on the received data.

To carry out these techniques, the controller 302 may also be configured to receive data (e.g., signals) from reel sensors 230 that is indicative of respective current positions of the reel arms 227 (e.g., and each reel section 224, 225, 226 coupled thereto, relative to the ground and/or relative to the crop canopy). The respective current positions of the reel arms 227 may be used to determine how (e.g., up, down, forward, rearward) to adjust the reel arms 227 to reach the respective appropriate positions of the reel arms 227 and/or to provide feedback (e.g., as part of a feedback loop) to confirm that the reel arms 227 have reached their respective appropriate positions. For example, the controller 302 may compare the current position with the appropriate position and direct the hydraulic control system 310 to adjust the actuators 228 to drive each reel arm 227 to the respective appropriate position. As mentioned above, the control system 300 may continuously or periodically monitor the current position of the reel assembly 220 and continuously or periodically change the position of the reel sections 224, 225, 226, such as to maintain the desired reel position relative to the crop canopy.

The control system 300 may adjust the reel assembly 220 in various ways. For example, in some embodiments, an operator may provide an input (e.g., via a user interface 312) to set a desired reel position relative to the crop canopy (e.g., desired reel height; set reel position; a set distance below the crop canopy) for the reel sections of the reel assembly 220. It should be appreciated that the controller 302 may establish or receive the desired reel position relative to the crop canopy in other ways, such as via a programmed or manufacturer setting, for example. Regardless of the manner in which the desired reel position is obtained, the sensor 252 may detect the height of the crop canopy at the one or more reel sections (e.g., forward of the one or more reel section, at the area of the field over which the one or more reel sections may travel) and may provide the signal indicative of the height of the crop canopy at the one or more reel sections to the controller 302. Then, the controller 302 may instruct the actuators 228 to adjust the position of the one or more reel arms 227 to maintain the one or more reel sections at the desired reel position (e.g., to maintain the one or more reel sections at the set distance below the crop canopy). In this way, the disclosed embodiments may maintain a substantially constant distance between each section of the reel assembly 220 and the crop canopy as the harvester 100 moves through the field.

In some embodiments, an operator may provide an input (e.g., via the user interface 312) to set a desired reel position relative to the ground for the reel sections of the reel assembly 220 (e.g., desired reel height; set reel position; a set distance above the ground). It should be appreciated that the controller 302 may establish or receive the desired reel position relative to the ground in other ways, such as via a programmed or manufacturer setting, for example. Regardless of the manner in which the desired reel position is obtained, the sensor 252 may detect the ground contour at the one or more reel sections (e.g., forward of the one or more reel section, at the area of the field over which the one or more reel sections may travel) and may provide the signal indicative of the ground contour at the one or more reel sections to the controller 302. Then, the controller 302 may instruct the actuators 228 to adjust the position of the one or more reel arms 227 to maintain the one or more reel sections at the desired reel position (e.g., to maintain the one or more reel sections at the set distance above the ground). In this way, the disclosed embodiments may maintain a substantially constant distance between each section of the reel assembly 220 and the ground as the harvester 100 moves through the field.

In some such embodiments, the controller 302 may control the one or more reel arms 227 to maintain the one or more reel sections at the desired reel position at the set distance above the ground, as long as (e.g., only as long as) the desired reel position would also result in the one or more reel sections being below the crop canopy and/or at an appropriate position relative to another parameter (e.g., above a center of gravity of the crops, as determined by the controller 302 based on data from the sensors 252). For example, the operator may provide the input to set the desired reel position relative to the ground. The sensors 252 may monitor the ground contour and the height of the crop canopy, and the sensors 252 may provide the data indicative of the ground contour and the height of the crop canopy to the controller 302. The reel sensors 230 may also provide data indicative of the current positions of the reel arms 227 to the controller 302. As the harvester 100 travels through the field, the controller 302 may then adjust the actuators 228 to position each reel section at its respective desired reel position relative to the ground. However, if the desired reel position relative to the ground would result in the reel section being above the crop canopy, the controller 302 may block and/or limit adjustment of the actuator 228 to maintain the reel section between the ground and the crop canopy along the vertical axis 40.

In some embodiments, the operator may provide an input to instruct the controller 302 to control the actuators 228 to operator in different modes, such as a “crop canopy mode” in which the controller 302 controls the actuators 228 so that each reel section tracks the crop canopy (e.g., maintain the set distance below the crop canopy) or a “ground contour mode” in which the controller 302 controls the actuators 228 so that each reel section tracks the ground contours (e.g., maintain the set distance above the ground). Further, the controller 302 may be configured to automatically switch between these modes. For example, the controller 302 may be configured to switch from the ground contour mode to the crop canopy mode if the desired reel position relative to the ground would place (or result in) the reel section being above the crop canopy. The controller 302 may be configured to automatically switch modes based on various other factors, including the density of the crop, the position of the crop, a degree of variation (e.g., as determined by the controller 302 based on the data from the sensors 252) of the height of the crop canopy across the width of the header 200 and/or as the harvester 100 travels through the field, a degree of variation (e.g., as determined by the controller 302 based on the data from the sensors 252) of the ground contour across the width of the header 200 and/or as the harvester 100 travels through the field. For example, if the degree of variation in the height of the crop canopy is higher than the degree of variation in the ground contour, the controller 302 may operate in the ground contour mode to reduce adjustments. Alternatively, in such cases, the controller 302 may operate in the crop canopy mode to more closely account and match the variations.

The controller 302 may determine and/or take into account other factors to control the reel assembly 220. In some embodiments, the controller 302 may process the data from the sensors 252 to determine the density of the crop (e.g., at the crop canopy). The controller 302 may then adjust each reel section based on the density of the crop. For example, the operator may set the desired reel position relative to the crop canopy. However, the controller 302 may adjust the desired reel position relative to the crop canopy (e.g., adjust the set distance input by the operator; adjust to an adjusted desired reel position) for each reel section to account for the density, and then the controller 302 may maintain each reel sections at the respective adjusted desired reel position as the harvester 100 travels through field (e.g., through the portion of the field having the density). Thus, the controller 302 may determine the respective appropriate position for each reel section by taking into account the operator input (or other input of the desired position), the height of the crop canopy, the ground contour, and/or the density of the crop. Advantageously, this may enable each reel section to engage the crop at the respective appropriate position relative to the center of gravity of the crops (e.g., slightly above the center of gravity) to block the crops from flipping and/or to effectively urge the crops onto the cutter bar assembly 210.

Similarly, in some embodiments, the controller 302 may process the data from the sensors 252 to determine the position of the crops (e.g., the orientation relative to the ground). The controller 302 may then adjust each reel section based on the position of the crops. For example, the operator may set the desired reel position relative to the crop canopy. However, the controller 302 may adjust the desired reel position relative to the crop canopy and/or relative to the frame 201 of the header 200 (e.g., adjust the set distance input by the operator; adjust to an adjusted desired reel position; adjust up, down, forward, and/or aft) for each reel section to account for the position of the crops, and then the controller 302 may maintain the each reel sections at the respective adjusted desired reel position as the harvester 100 travels through field (e.g., through the portion of the field having the density). Thus, the controller 302 may determine the respective appropriate position for each reel section by taking into account the operator input (or other input of the desired position), the height of the crop canopy, the ground contour, the density of the crop, and/or the position of the crop. Advantageously, this may enable each reel section to engage the crop at the respective appropriate position relative to the center of gravity of the crops (e.g., slightly above the center of gravity) and/or relative to the cutter bar assembly 210 to block the crops from flipping and/or to effectively urge the crops onto the cutter bar assembly 210.

It should be appreciated that the controller 302 may also be configured to independently adjust the position of each reel section to avoid contact between the reel sections and the cutter bar assembly 210. For example, the header 200 may operate in a “flex mode” in which the cutter bar flexes as the harvester 100 travels through the field. In such cases, cutter bar sensors may monitor the position of the cutter bar assembly 210. The controller 302 may receive data (e.g., signals) indicative of the position of the cutter bar assembly 210 from the cutter bar sensors and may adjust the reel sections accordingly.

FIGS. 4-6 provide examples to facilitate understanding of the operation of the header 200, including operation of the sensor assembly 250 and adjustment of the reel sections 224, 225, 226, of the reel assembly 220. FIG. 4 is a rear view of an embodiment of a portion of the reel assembly 220 that includes the reel sections 224, 225, 226. The reel sections 224, 225, 226 may be in a first configuration (e.g., level configuration; the respective central axes of the sections may be aligned with one another and/or may be aligned with the lateral axis 140) while the reel assembly 220 travels over and/or interacts with a generally level field of crops 206. As shown, the reel sections 224, 225, 226 of the reel assembly 220 may be coupled together by pivot joints 229, which enable the reel sections 224, 225, 226 to rotate independently from one another to adjust to terrain features (e.g., a height, position, and/or density of the crops and/or surface features of the ground). However, the reel sections 224, 225, 226 of the reel assembly 220 may be coupled together and/or coupled to the frame 201 of the header 200 in other ways (e.g., via a sliding connection and/or another connection) that enable the reel sections 224, 225, 226 to move (e.g., slide and/or rotate) independently from one another.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of an embodiment of a portion of the reel assembly 220 that includes the reel sections 224, 225, 226. The reel sections 224, 225, 226 may be in a second configuration (e.g., non-level configuration; the respective central axes of the sections are not aligned with one another and/or are not aligned with the lateral axis 140) while the reel assembly 220 travels over and/or interacts with a generally uneven crop canopy 240. In particular, one reel section 226 is raised (e.g., via rotation at the pivot joint 229) relative to the other sections 224, 225 due to the height of the crop canopy 240 at the one reel section 226 being greater than the height of the crop canopy 240 at the other sections 224, 225 to enable the reel section 226 to effectively engage the crops. While the illustrated embodiment shows the distance between the crop canopy and the reel section 226 being approximately equal across the width of the reel section 226 to facilitate discussion, it should be appreciated that the distance may not be substantially equal across the width of the reel section 226. Instead, the reel section 226 may be positioned so that at least some percentage of the reel section 226 is at the desired reel position or close to the desired reel position (e.g., approximately equal to or greater than 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90 percent), for example. Generally, the controller 302 may determine the appropriate position to be the position at which the reel section 226 will effectively engage the crops, taking into account the operator input, the height of the crop canopy, the position of the crops, the density of the crops, and/or other factors.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an embodiment of a header 200 having the reel assembly 220, the cutter bar assembly 210, and the sensors 252. In the illustrated embodiment, the crops 206 are positioned to lean away from the header 200. In operation, the controller 302 may process the data from the sensors 252 to determine the position of the crops 206 and to determine the appropriate position for each reel section of the reel assembly 220. For example, with the illustrated position of the crops 206, the controller 302 may be configured to control the actuators 228 to move the reel assembly 220 to a first position relative to the frame 201 of the header 200 (e.g., away from the frame 201 of the header 200 along the longitudinal axis 142) to effectively engage the crops and/or to urge the crops toward the cutter bar assembly 210.

FIG. 7 is a side view of an embodiment of a header 200 having the reel assembly 220, the cutter bar assembly 210, and the sensors 252. In the illustrated embodiment, the crops 206 are positioned to lean toward from the header 200. In operation, the controller 302 may process the data from the sensors 252 to determine the position of the crops 206 and to determine the appropriate position for each reel section of the reel assembly 220. For example, with the illustrated position of the crops 206, the controller 302 may be configured to control the actuators 228 to move the reel assembly 220 to a second position relative to the frame 201 of the header 200 (e.g., toward the the frame 201 of the header 200 along the longitudinal axis 142; closer to the frame 201 of the header 200 as compared to the first position of FIG. 5) to effectively engage the crops and/or to urge the crops toward the cutter bar assembly 210. For example, if the operator set the desired reel position relative to the crop canopy, the controller 302 may control each reel section to generally maintain the desired reel position relative to the crop canopy as the harvester 100 travels through the field. However, the controller 302 may adjust the desired reel position and/or determine the appropriate reel position based on the position of the crops (e.g., given the same desired reel position set by the operator, the controller 302 may adjust the desired reel position forward to the first position relative to the frame 201 of the header 200 while the crops 206 are positioned to lean away from the frame 201 of the header 200 and may adjust the desired reel position rearward to the second position relative to the frame 201 of the header 200 while the crops 206 are positioned to lean toward the frame 201 of the header 200), thereby enabling each reel section to more effectively engage the crops. Similar adjustments to the desired reel position may be made based on the density of the crops.

It should be appreciated that the bracket 251 may contact and/or be fastened (e.g., via one or more bolts or welds) to the frame 201 of the header 200. For example, at least a portion of the bracket 251 may be non-rotatably coupled or fixed to the frame 201 of the header 200, and the bracket 251 may extend up and over (e.g., forward) the reel assembly 220 to enable the sensor 252 to detect the terrain features forward of the header 200. It should be appreciated that any of the sensors 252 coupled to the reel arms 227 as shown in FIGS. 1-7 may be coupled to the frame 201 of the header 200. Furthermore, any of the features disclosed herein may be combined in any suitable manner.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an embodiment of method 800 for independently adjusting the position of the reel sections. In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 302 receives a first signal indicative of a first height of a first section 224 relative to the ground of a field of crops 206 and/or relative to the crop canopy at block 802. The controller 302 may receive the first signal from the sensor 252. The controller 302 receives a second signal indicative of a second height of the first section 224 relative to the ground of the field of crops 206 and/or relative to the crop canopy at block 804. In certain embodiments, the controller 302 receives a third signal indicative of the density of the crops at block 806. The controller 302 may receive the third signal from the sensor 252. As discussed above, the controller 302 may additionally or alternatively receive other parameters or attributes, such as the position of the crops (e.g., the orientation). In some embodiments, the controller 302 is configured to receive an operator input indicative of desired cutting parameters, such as the desired reel position relative to the ground and/or relative to the crop canopy at block 808.

In some embodiments, the controller 302 is configured to determine a desired adjustment of the first section 224 based on the first signal, the second signal, the third signal, and/or the operator input of the desired cutting parameter at block 810. The controller 302 may then instruct the actuator 228 to adjust the first section 224 by the desired adjustment at block 812 (e.g., to maintain the desired cutting parameter as the harvester 100 travels through the field and/or to maintain the desired cutting parameter in a manner that also accounts for various other factors, such as changes in density of the crop). For example, the controller 302 may send a signal to the actuator 228 to raise the height of the first section 224 of the reel assembly 220 relative to the second section 225 such that a desired cut crop length is achieved.

While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A POSITION OF A REEL OF AN AGRICULTURAL HEADER

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