Automatic header height controlling mechanism

Claim 2

An automatic header height controlling mechanism for a header of an agricultural machine, such as harvesters of the type having a header with a cutting mechanism for cutting the crops, mounted on the harvester for vertical swinging movement relative to the ground, said automatic header height controlling mechanism comprising electrical position indicator means, ground sensing members coupled to the side edges of said header and to said electrical position indicators means and extending far in front of the header; a series of feeler elements provided on the header rearwardly of and inbetween said ground sensing members; a fluid pressure operated header lifting unit interconnecting the header and the harvester for adjusting vertically the position of said header; a header lifting unit controlling means controlling the fluid supply to and discharge from said unit; and an electric servo circuit coupling said controlling means to the electrical position indicator means for forming a header positioning circuit for generally positioning the header respective to the ground contours sensed by the ground sensing members on the one hand and to the feeler elements for on contact thereof with an obstacle located inbetween the ground sensing members to raise the header, independent from the header positioning circuit on the other hand.

Claim 3

In combination with the header of an agricultural machine such as a harvester of the type having a header mounted on the harvester for vertical swinging movement relative to the ground, said header having a cutting mechanism for cutting the crops, the combination therewith of an automatic header height controlling mechanism, comprising electrical position indicator means, ground sensing members coupled to the side edges of said header and to said electrical position indicator means and extending far in front of the header, a series of feeler elements provided on the header rearwardly of and inbetween said ground sensing members, a fluid pressure operated header lifting unit interconnecting the header and the harvester for adjusting vertically the position of said header; a header lifting unit controlling means controlling the fluid supply to and discharge from said unit, and an electric servo circuit coupling said controlling means to the electrical position indicator means for forming a header positioning circuit for generally positioning the header respective to the ground contours sensed by the ground sensing members on the one hand and to the feeler elements for on contact thereof with an obstacle located inbetween the ground sensing members to raise the header, independant from the header positioning circuit on the other hand.

Claim 4

In combination with the header of an agricultural machine such as a harvester of the type having a header mounted on the harvester for vertical swinging movement relative to the ground, said header having a cutting mechanism for cutting the crops, the combination therewith of an automatic header height controlling mechanism, comprising electrical position indicator means, ground sensing members coupled to the side edges of said header and to said electrical position indicator means and extending far in front of the header, a series of feeler elements provided on the header rearwardly of and inbetween said ground sensing members, a fluid pressure operated header lifting unit interconnecting the header and the harvester for adjusting vertically the position of said header; a header lifting unit controlling means controlling the fluid supply to and discharge from said unit, and an electric servo circuit coupling said controlling means to the electrical position indicator means for forming a header positioning circuit for generally positioning the header respective to the ground contours sensed by the ground sensing members on the one hand and to the feeler elements for on contact thereof with an obstacle located inbetween the ground sensing members to raise the header, independant from the header positioning circuit on the other hand.

Claim 5

In an agricultural machine such as a harvester having a main body with a header mounted thereon for vertical movement and a fluid pressure operated header lifting unit for raising and lowering the header relative to the ground, an automatic header height controlling mechanism for controlling said header lifting unit in accordance with the contour of the ground compRising : electrical position indicator means, ground sensing members coupled to the side edges of said header and to said electrical position indicator means and extending far in front of the header, a series of feeler elements provided on the header rearwardly of and inbetween said ground sensing members; a header lifting unit controlling means controlling the fluid supply to and discharge from said unit and an electric servo circuit connected to said position indicator means and to said feeler elements on the one hand and to the header lifting unit controlling means on the other hand for during operation to actuate the header lifting unit controlling means to raise and lower the header in accordance with the ground contour as detected by the position of the higher of the ground sensing members and of the feeler elements.

Claim 6

In an agricultural machine such as a harvester having a main body with a header mounted thereon for vertical movement and a fluid pressure operated header lifting unit for raising and lowering the header relative to the ground, an automatic header height controlling mechanism for controlling said header lifting unit in accordance with the contour of the ground compRising : electrical position indicator means, ground sensing members coupled to the side edges of said header and to said electrical position indicator means and extending far in front of the header, a series of feeler elements provided on the header rearwardly of and inbetween said ground sensing members; a header lifting unit controlling means controlling the fluid supply to and discharge from said unit and an electric servo circuit connected to said position indicator means and to said feeler elements on the one hand and to the header lifting unit controlling means on the other hand for during operation to actuate the header lifting unit controlling means to raise and lower the header in accordance with the ground contour as detected by the position of the higher of the ground sensing members and of the feeler elements.

Claim 7

The combination of claim 1 wherein the ground sensing members are crop dividers being pivoted to the side walls of the header for vertical swinging movement relative to the ground contour at a location relatively far in front of the header on forward operative travel of the harvester in the field.

Claim 8

The combination of claim 1 wherein said ground sensing members are pivoted to the header and wherein each electrical position indicator means is an electric element being coupled to each of said ground sensing members for on vertical swinging movement of the ground sensing members respective to the ground contour, to have a varying electric output characteristic.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 3 wherein the ground sensing members are crop dividers being pivoted to the side walls of the header for vertical swinging movement relative to the ground contour at a location relatively far in front of the header on forward operative travel of the harvester in the field, and wherein the position indicator means are potentiometers having a sliding contact being coupled to said crop dividers for on said vertical swinging movement of the crop dividers to have a varying electric output characteristic.

Claim 10

The combination of claim 1 wherein the aforesaid feeler elements are crop lifter-shaped sensing means provided to the header in front of the cutting mechanism and inbetween the ground sensing members, and wherein a series of electrical contacts is provided in the electric circuit, and of which each contact thereof may be actuated by a corresponding crop lifter shaped sensing means on contact of the latter with an obstacle which results in a vertical swinging movement of said sensing means.

Claim 11

The combination of claim 7 wherein the aforesaid electrical contacts are normally closed contacts being placed in series, which upon vertical swinging movement of said sensing means are opened.

Claim 12

The combination of claim 8 comprising additional contacts in series with said first electrical contacts for upon actuation by the operator to raise the header.

Claim 13

The combination of claim 5 wherein the electric circuit comprises an additional adjustable electric element having a variable electric output characteristic corresponding to the desired header height for upon setting of said additional electric element to have the electric circuit actuated said header lifting unit controlling means to raise and lower the header corresponding to the differences between the electric characteristics of the first electric elements and the additional element and to continuously tend to eliminate this difference.

Claim 14

The combination of claim 1 wherein the electric circuit is a symmetrical semi-conductor switching circuit which switches the header lifting unit controlling means respective to the ground contour sensed by said ground sensing means.

Claim 15

In an agricultural machine such as a harvester having a main body with a header mounted thereon for vertical movement and a fluid pressure operated header lifting unit for raising and lowering the header relative to the ground, an automatic header height controlling mechanism for controlling said header lifting unit in accordance wIth the contour of the ground, comprising : crop divider means pivoted to the header and extending far in front of the header for sensing the ground contour; first electrical elements coupled to said crop divider means having variable electrical output characteristics in accordance to the ground contour sensed by said crop divider means; a second electrical element having an adjustable electric output characteristic for setting the desired header height; a header lifting unit controlling means coupled to the header lifting unit for controlling the fluid supply to and discharge from said unit and a symmetrical semi-conductor servo-circuit coupled to the header lifting unit controlling means and having a first and a second input being connected respectively to the first electrical elements and the second electric element for during operation to actuate the header lifting unit controlling means to raise and to lower the header in accordance with the difference between the electrical characteristics of the first and the second electrical elements and to continuously tend to eliminate this difference.

Claim 16

In an agricultural machine such as a harvester having a main body with a header mounted thereon for vertical movement and a fluid pressure operated header lifting unit for raising and lowering the header relative to the ground, an automatic header height controlling mechanism for controlling said header lifting unit in accordance wIth the contour of the ground, comprising : crop divider means pivoted to the header and extending far in front of the header for sensing the ground contour; first electrical elements coupled to said crop divider means having variable electrical output characteristics in accordance to the ground contour sensed by said crop divider means; a second electrical element having an adjustable electric output characteristic for setting the desired header height; a header lifting unit controlling means coupled to the header lifting unit for controlling the fluid supply to and discharge from said unit and a symmetrical semi-conductor servo-circuit coupled to the header lifting unit controlling means and having a first and a second input being connected respectively to the first electrical elements and the second electric element for during operation to actuate the header lifting unit controlling means to raise and to lower the header in accordance with the difference between the electrical characteristics of the first and the second electrical elements and to continuously tend to eliminate this difference.

Claim 17

The combination of claim 1 wherein the electric servo-circuit comprises at least one relay for actuating the header lifting unit controlling means in one or the direction to raise and lower the header correspondingly.

Claim 18

The combination of claim 1 wherein the electric servo-circuit comprises a first relay coupled to the feeler elements, for on displacement of at least one of the latter to directly actuate said header lifting unit controlling means to raise the header, and at least one other relay coupled to the position indicator means for when the feeler elements are in their neutral position to actuate said controlling means in one or the other direction to raise and lower the header responsive to the displacement of the indicator means.

Claim 19

In an agricultural machine such as a harvester having a main body with a header mounted thereon for vertical movement and a fluid pressure operated header lifting unit for raising and lowering the header relative to the ground, an automatic header height controlling mechanism for controlling said header lifting unit in accordance with the contour of the ground comprising ground sensing members pivoted to the side edges of the header and extending far in front of the header, a header lifting unit controlling means for controlling the header lifting unit, an electric servo-circuit interconnecting said ground sensing members and said controlling means for forming a header positioning circuit for positioning the header relative to the ground contour, feeler elements pivoted to the header rearwardly of and inbetween the ground sensing members, electric contacts actuable by said feeler elements and being connected in series with each other; a relay having its actuation coil in series with said contacts, the contacts of said relay controlling the power supply to said controlling means for upon actuation of at least one feeler element to directly energize the controlling means to raise the header and for when the feeler elements are in neutral position to have said controlling means connected to said positioning circuit for positioning the header relative to the ground contour detected at the location of the ground sensing members.

Claim 20

In an agricultural machine such as a harvester having a main body with a header mounted thereon for vertical movement and a fluid pressure operated header lifting unit for raising and lowering the header relative to the ground, an automatic header height controlling mechanism for controlling said header lifting unit in accordance with the contour of the ground comprising ground sensing members pivoted to the side edges of the header and extending far in front of the header, a header lifting unit controlling means for controlling the header lifting unit, an electric servo-circuit interconnecting said ground sensing members and said controlling means for forming a header positioning circuit for positioning the header relative to the ground contour, feeler elements pivoted to the header rearwardly of and inbetween the ground sensing members, electric contacts actuable by said feeler elements and being connected in series with each other; a relay having its actuation coil in series with said contacts, the contacts of said relay controlling the power supply to said controlling means for upon actuation of at least one feeler element to directly energize the controlling means to raise the header and for when the feeler elements are in neutral position to have said controlling means connected to said positioning circuit for positioning the header relative to the ground contour detected at the location of the ground sensing members.

Claim 21

The combination of claim 12 wherein the symmetrical semi-conductor servo-circuit comprises a discriminator state having at least two transistors, two inputs and two output circuits, the inputs being connected to the first and second electrical elements and each output circuit comprising a semi-conductor amplifier, a semi-conductor Schmittriger circuit and a relay coupled to said Schmittriger circuit for responsive to the difference between the electrical characteristics of the first and second electrical elements, to energize one or the other output circuit and to energize one or the other relay for raising or lowering the header correspondingly.

Claim 22

The combination of claim 16 wherein the first electriCal elements are coupled in parallel to the first input of the discriminator circuit.

Claim 23

The combination of claim 1 wherein the automatic header height controlling mechanism further comprises a throttling valve in the header lifting unit controlling means which on actuation becomes operative for throttling the fluid supply to and discharge from the fluid pressure operated header lifting unit, and an additional electric circuit interconnecting said position indicator means and said throttling valve for actuating said valve when the condition of movement of the header is changed.

Claim 24

The combination of claim 12 wherein the automatic header height controlling mechanism further comprises a throttle valve in the header lifting unit controlling means which on actuation becomes operative for throttling the fluid supply to and discharge from the fluid pressure operated header lifting unit; and an additional electric circuit having a first stage with two inputs and an output circuit, the first and second input being coupled to the first and second electrical elements, the output circuit having a semi-conductor amplifier, a Schmittriger circuit and a relay of which the switching circuit controls said throttle valve for during operation to control the position of said valve respective to the magnitude of the difference between the electrical characteristics of said first and second electrical elements.

Claim 25

The combination of claim 19 wherein the solenoid circuit of said relay comprises contacts which upon actuation of at least one thereof prevents the throttling valve from shifting to its operative position.

Claim 26

In an agricultural machine such as a harvester having a main body with a header mounted thereon for vertical movement and a fluid pressure operated header lifting unit for raising and lowering the header relative to the ground, an automatic header height controlling mechanism for controlling said header lifting unit in accordance with the ground contour comprising : ground sensing members pivoted to the header side walls and extending far in front of the header, first electric elements actuable by said ground sensing members, upon angular displacement thereof respective to the ground contour, feeler elements pivoted to the header rearwardly of and inbetween said ground sensing members, second electric elements actuable by said feeler elements, a header lifting unit controlling mechanism for controlling the fluid supply to and discharge from said header lifting unit, an electric circuit interconnecting said controlling mechanism and said first electric elements for forming a header positioning circuit to raise and lower the header respective to the ground contour sensed by said ground sensing members on the one hand, and to the second electric elements for upon actuation of at least one of the latter elements to raise the header; and a relay in said electric circuit for giving priority to any upward height adjustment.

Claim 27

In an agricultural machine such as a harvester having a main body with a header mounted thereon for vertical movement and a fluid pressure operated header lifting unit for raising and lowering the header relative to the ground, an automatic header height controlling mechanism for controlling said header lifting unit in accordance with the ground contour comprising : ground sensing members pivoted to the header side walls and extending far in front of the header, first electric elements actuable by said ground sensing members, upon angular displacement thereof respective to the ground contour, feeler elements pivoted to the header rearwardly of and inbetween said ground sensing members, second electric elements actuable by said feeler elements, a header lifting unit controlling mechanism for controlling the fluid supply to and discharge from said header lifting unit, an electric circuit interconnecting said controlling mechanism and said first electric elements for forming a header positioning circuit to raise and lower the header respective to the ground contour sensed by said ground sensing members on the one hand, and to the second electric elements for upon actuation of at least one of the latter elements to raise the header; and a relay in said electric circuit for giving priority to any upward height adjustment.

Claim 28

The combination of claim 21 wherein the first electrical elements each comprise a first contact which is actuated by an upward swinging movement and a second contact which is actuated by a downward swinging movement of the respective ground sensing member wherein the first contacts of all first electrical elements are coupled in parallel in a circuit further having the solenoid of said relay; and the second contacts of all first electrical elements are coupled in series in the switching circuit of said relay; said header lifting unit controlling means being coupled to said first circuit in parallel relation to said solenoid and to said second circuit, for upon actuation of at least one of said first contacts to open said switching circuit and to raise the header and for upon actuation of all the second contacts to close the switching circuit and to lower the header.

Claim 29

The combination of claim 21 wherein the first electrical elements each comprise a first contact which is actuated by an upward swinging movement and a second contact which is actuaTed by a downward swinging movement of the respective ground sensing member, wherein the second electrical elements are third contacts actuable upon upward swinging movement of said feeler elements, wherein the first and third contacts are coupled in parallel in a circuit also being coupled to the solenoid of said relay; and the second contacts are coupled in series in the switching circuit of said relay; said header lifting unit controlling means being connected to said first circuit in parallel relation to said solenoid and to said second circuit, for upon actuation of at least one of said first and third contacts to open said switching circuit, to raise the header and to exclude any influence from said second circuit, and for upon actuation of all contacts of said second circuit and when all other contacts are not actuated to close the switching circuit and to lower the header.

Claim 30

The combination of claim 23 wherein a throttle valve is provided in the header lifting unit controlling means for when in its operative position to throttle the fluid supply to and discharge from said header lifting unit and wherein a throttle valve controlling circuit is connected to said second circuit in parallel relation to the interconnection between said second circuit and said controlling means and having a contact being closed only when the header reaches below an adjustable level, for upon downward movement of the header below said level to shift the throttling valve in its operative position.

Claim 31

The combination of claim 23 wherein a two position contact is provided in parallel to said first and third contacts and an end contact breaker is coupled in series in said first circuit for upon actuation of said two position contact by the operator to raise the header until said end contact breaker is actuated.