WO2013096593A1

WO2013096593A1 - Unloading auger control

Info

Publication number: WO2013096593A1
Application number: PCT/US2012/070889
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cedric BLOUGH
Original assignee: AGCO Corp
Current assignee: AGCO Corp
Priority date: 2011-12-20
Filing date: 2012-12-20
Publication date: 2013-06-27
Anticipated expiration: 2014-06-20

Abstract

An unloading auger control includes a controller (26) configured to receive a remote signal from a communications device (22) and in response manipulate the operation of an unloading auger (14). The communications device (22) may be located on an agricultural vehicle (20) pulling a transport vehicle, such as a grain cart (18).

Description

Unloading Auger Control

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of Invention

[001] The invention relates to the collection of harvested crop material in a bulk transport vehicle, and more particularly, to the operation of unloading augers for transferring crop material to a bulk transport vehicle.

Description of Related Art

[002] Crop material may be dispensed from one agricultural vehicle to another. For example, a combine harvester may collect crop material and employ an unloading auger to transfer the crop material to a bulk transport vehicle, such as a grain cart pulled by a tractor. The grain cart operator and combine operator must coordinate with each other to ensure the proper placement of the grain cart with respect to a dispense opening of the unloading auger so that the crop material is dispensed in the grain cart.

[003] Biomass collection utilizing single pass baling presents another challenge for unloading combines on the go in that the grain cart driver has to avoid bales that are being dropped in the field. This requires additional coordination between the combine driver and the grain cart operator in that during unloading, they must both recognize that the grain cart needs to be maneuvered around a bale. This places the grain cart out of the range of the dispense opening of the unloading and thus the unloading auger should be stopped until the grain cart is back into a receiving position at which time it should be restarted. This is made more difficult by the fact that the combine driver may not be able to see the bale as they approach because the standing crop in front of the combine may block the combine operator's view. Overview

[004] In an example embodiment, an unloading auger of an agricultural vehicle is configured to be controlled remotely. In one example embodiment, an agricultural vehicle configured with an unloading auger system includes a controller that is configured to receive signals from a remote communications device and in response manipulate the unloading auger. A combine harvester having an unloading auger may be configured to harvest crop material and dispense the crop material through an unloading chute which houses an unloading auger. A controller may receive a signal from a remote communications device, such as a communications device located at a tractor pulling a grain cart, and the controller configured to manipulate the unloading auger in response. In an example embodiment, the unloading auger may be powered by a hydraulic system as known in the art, but other systems could be used, such as a gear box arrangement as known in the art.

[005] An unloading auger drive system may include a horizontal auger disposed at or near the bottom of the collection tank which transports crop material to the lower end of a vertical auger. An unloading auger may be provided at the upper end of the vertical auger through which the crop material is fed into a storage compartment of a grain cart or other transport vehicle.

[006] The auger drive system may be activated by a hydraulically operated cylinder, which applies tension to a belt drive arrangement which, in turn, drives the auger. A controller may be provided which is configured to manipulate a control device, such as a solenoid, to start and stop the unloading auger. A user interface at the combine may be provided to allow the combine operator to send various control signals to the control device. The control device in turn may perform the necessary operations to start or stop the unloading auger. For example, a solenoid may be used to provide or stop the flow of hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic pump to a motor which powers the unloading auger. The controller may be configured to receive commands from a remote device and in response manipulate the operation of the unloading auger through commands to a control device, such as a hydraulic motor, as mentioned above. In an example embodiment, the controller may operate the unloading auger in a normal mode in which the auger is controlled by a user interface on the agricultural vehicle and a remote mode in which the unloading auger may be operated in response to commands from a remote device.

[007] In an example embodiment, a remote communications device operated by a second operator may be used to send command signals to the controller of the combine for the manipulation of the unloading auger. For example, a communications device may be provided on a tractor pulling the grain cart so that the operator of the tractor may control the operation of the unloading auger of the combine. For example, the communications device may send a radio signal that is received by an antenna on the combine. The signal may be sent to a controller of the combine. If the combine is operated in a remote mode, then the controller may send a command signal to a control device to manipulate the unloading auger. If the combine is operating in a normal mode, then the signal may be ignored and the unloading auger operated as normal.

For example, the controller may send an "on" or "off signal to a solenoid or other device to stop or start the flow of hydraulic fluid to a motor that powers the unloading auger. [008] This arrangement allows the combine operator to extend an unloading tube to begin the unloading process and allow the grain cart operator to start or stop the unloading auger in response to the position of the grain cart with respect to the unloading auger. For example, if the grain cart operator must move the grain cart out of a receiving position with the unloading auger, then the grain cart operator can stop the unloading auger and the flow of crop material until the grain cart is repositioned to receive crop material from the unloading auger.

[009] The better view afforded to the grain cart operator during crop collection allows the grain cart operator to, from the cab of the vehicle pulling the grain cart, stop and start the auger as desired when it became necessary to avoid a bale and move the grain cart away from the combine which continues on its harvesting path. This would relieve the combine driver of the added task of recognizing the grain cart's need for bale avoidance and simplify the coordination required. The example embodiments disclose an apparatus, system, and method for remotely controlling an unloading auger of an agricultural vehicle thereby allowing for efficient biomass collection in baled fields.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[010] FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment of an unloading auger control in a field.

[011] FIG. 2 shows an example embodiment of an agricultural vehicle having an auger controlled by incorporating an unloading auger control.

[012] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of an unloading auger control system. [013] FIG. 4 shows an example embodiment of an arrangement in which the unloading auger control is employed.

[014] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the views of the drawings. Detailed Description

[015] As required, example embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. The various embodiments are meant to be non-limiting examples of various ways of implementing the invention and it will be understood that the invention may be embodied in alternative forms. The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several figures, and in which example embodiments are shown. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular elements, while related elements may have been eliminated to prevent obscuring novel aspects. The specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

[016] Turning to the figures, FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment of an agricultural vehicle 10 having an unloading auger 14 (shown in dashed lines) for depositing crop material 16 into a bulk transport vehicle 18. In the example

embodiment, the agricultural vehicle is a combine 10 and the bulk transport vehicle 18 is a grain cart pulled by a tractor 20. The tractor 20 may be provided with a

communications device 22 for sending a signal to a controller 26 on the combine. The controller 26 may be configured to manipulate the unloading auger 14 in response to the signal.

[017] In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the combine 10 harvests crop 28 and dispenses crop material 16 into the grain cart 18 using the unloading auger 14. The combine generally follows a straight path through the field and the tractor 20 follows the path shown in dashed line to pull the grain cart in a position to receive the crop material 16 dispensed through a chute 30 by the unloading auger 14. If there is not an obstacle, then the tractor 20 may keep a straight path such that the unloading auger 14 may be operated at the direction of the combine operator as the grain cart 18 is in position to receive crop material 16.

[018] As seen in FIG. 1 , an obstacle, such as a bale 32, may be in the path of the tractor 20 and the grain cart 18 so that the tractor 20 must make an evasive maneuver in which the grain cart 18 is no longer positioned to receive the crop material 16 from the combine 10. When this occurs it would be desirable to stop the unloading auger. In traditional arrangements the unloading auger control is operated by the combine operator. But the combine operator may have difficulty seeing the bale 32 due to the standing crop in field or other distractions. Thus, the operator of the tractor 20 may use a communications device 22 to manipulate the unloading auger 14. For example, at point A in FIG. 1 , the tractor operator may use the communications device 22 to start the unloading auger as the grain cart 16 is in position to receive the crop material 16. At point B the tractor operator may use the communications device 22 to stop the unloading auger 14 as evasive action is taken to avoid the bale 32 and grain cart is moved out of position to receive the crop material 16. Once the tractor operator is again in position to receive crop material 16 in the grain cart, the communications device 22 may be used to restart the unloading auger.

[019] Figure 2 shows an example embodiment of a combine 10 which may be used in conjunction with a remote unloading auger system. The combine 10 may include a vertical conveyor 36 configured to convey crop material from a crop tank 38 to a horizontal conveyor 40 that includes an unloading auger 14 and is configured to move crop material provided by the vertical conveyor 36 to the grain cart 16. The controller 26 may manipulate the unloading auger 14 to start and stop the dispensing of crop material 16 out the chute 30. The horizontal conveyor 40 may swing outward to the side as shown in FIG. 1 .

[020] Figure 3 shows a schematic of an example embodiment of an unloading auger system 300 that includes a combine 10 and tractor 20. The combine 10 may include a user interface 46 configured to receive various inputs from a user. For example, the user interface 46 may be a control panel provided in the cab of the combine 10. The user interface 46 may communicate over a communications bus 48, such as a CAN system commonly used in agricultural vehicles. A controller 50 may also be provided that communicates over the CAN bus with various other components. The controller may be comprised of a combination of hardware, software, and firmware. For example, the controller 50 may comprise a microprocessor, integrated circuit, memory, and the like and receive signals and issue various command signals. The controller 50 may receive a signal from the user interface 46 and issue command signals to various components to effectuate an operation. For example, the user interface 46 may include a switch, button, or the like for starting or stopping the unloading auger 14. The user interface may then send a signal to the controller 50 via the bus 48 and in response the controller may send a command signal to various components to effectuate the command.

[021] An auger system 60 may include an unloading auger 14 that is powered by a motor 64 which is controlled by a control device 66. In one example embodiment a hydraulic system may be used in which a pump 68 may provide pressurized fluid to the motor 64 for driving the auger 14. The flow of fluid to the motor 64 may be controlled by the control device 66 under the direction of the controller 50. For example, the pump 68 may be used to power a variety of different hydraulic components on the combine 10. The controller 50 may send command signals to various control devices 66, such as a solenoid valve, to control the operation of various devices.

[022] In addition to receiving signals from the user interface 46 the controller may receive input from a variety of other sources. For example, the controller 50 may be coupled to various sensors and the like and be configured to execute various operations in response thereto. An antenna 70 may be provided to receive remote signals, such as radio, infrared, Bluetooth, optical and cellular signals. In this example embodiment, the controller 50 is configured to receive signals from a communications device 22 provided at the tractor 20. A user interface 82 may be provided at the tractor and communicate with the communications 22 to send a desired signal. For example, a control panel of the tractor 20 may include a button, switch, knob, or other component to allow an operator of the tractor to initiate a desired change in the operation of the unloading auger 14 of the combine. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the user interface 82 is in communication with the communications device 22 via a communications 86 bus such as a CAN bus. The communications device 22 may have an antenna 88 for sending a signal via radio wave.

[023] In operation, the communications device 22 may send a signal that is received by the antenna 70 at the combine and sent to the controller 50. In response to the signal, the controller 50 may send a command signal to the control device 66 to manipulate the operation of the unloading auger 14. The controller 50 may determine a proper command signal in accordance with a predetermined scheme. For example, the controller may determine whether to effectuate a particular command signal depending upon particular criteria. For example, the controller may be programmed to operate in various modes of operation. In a normal mode, the controller may control the operation of the auger in response to commands that are issued from the user interface and ignore signals sent from a remote communications device. This may be appropriate where the combine operator has a clear line of site in the field or a situation occurs in which the operator should or must have control. If the controller 50 is operated in a remote mode, however, the controller may issue command signals in response to signals received from the communications device 22. The particular mode of operation of the controller 50 may be selectable by a user using the user interface 46.

[024] Figure 4 shows an example method 400 of the invention. At block 402 the system may be started. For example, an operator may power up a combine having an unloading auger 14 so that a pump 68 is pressurized and the unloading auger 14 ready for use. At block 404 the use of the unloading auger may be initiated. For example, the user interface 46 may be used by an operator to initiate use of the auger 14. For example, upon powering up the combine, the user interface 46 may provide a plurality of screens to the user and various knobs, dials, buttons, and other input means for the user to indicate that the unloading auger 14 will be used. One such screen may prompt the operator as to whether the unloading auger will be operated in a normal mode in which it is controlled by the user interface 46 of the combine or a remote mode in which it may be controlled remotely. At block 406 if the normal mode is selected by a user then the controller 50 operates in normal mode at block 408. For example, the unloading auger may be operated under the control of the user interface 46 of the combine. At block 410 if the use of the unloading auger is terminated, such as by an operator selecting to end the use of the unloading auger using the user interface 46 then the unloading auger is turned off at block 412. For example, the controller 50 may turn off power to the pump 68.

[025] At block 406 if a remote mode has been selected by the operator, such as by entering a remote mode selection using the user interface, then the unloading auger may enter a remote mode and receive signals from a remote communications device 22. In this mode, the controller may place the unloading auger in a condition such that a command from the controller to a control device 66 will start or stop movement of the unloading auger. For example, the controller may send a command signal to a solenoid to manipulate hydraulic fluid flow to a motor 64 which drives the unloading auger 14.

[026] In the example embodiment show in FIG. 4, if a go signal is received at block 414 from the communications device 22 then the controller 50 starts or runs the unloading auger at step 416. This may occur when the grain cart is in a position to receive crop material from the combine 10. [027] At block 418, if an off signal is received, then the unloading auger is stopped. For example, the operator of the grain cart could use the user interface 82 to send an off signal to the antenna 70. The signal is then sent to the controller 50. The controller may then send a command signal to control device 66 to stop movement of the unloading auger 14.

[028] At block 422 it is determined whether to terminate the remote mode. For example, the combine operator could exit the remote mode using the user interface. If the remote mode is not terminated, then the system continues in the remote mode. If remote mode is terminated at block 422 then a determination is made at block 424 as to whether use of the auger is terminated. If so, then the activation of the unloading auger 14 is terminated. If not, then a new decision is made at block 406.

[029] The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the more pertinent aspects and features of the present invention. These should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the invention. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed information in a different manner or by modifying the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive understanding of the invention may be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1 . An apparatus, comprising: an agricultural vehicle having an unloading auger; and a controller at the agricultural vehicle configured to receive a signal from a remote communications device and in response manipulate operation of the unloading auger.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to operate in a first mode in which operation of the unloading auger is controlled by input at the agricultural vehicle and a second mode in which the unloading auger is manipulated by the remote communications device.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to manipulate a control device of the unloading auger.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a user interface at the agricultural vehicle configured to send a control signal to the unloading auger.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to manipulate a solenoid of the unloading auger.

6. An auger unloading system, comprising: a first agricultural vehicle having an unloading auger for dispensing crop material into a grain cart; a second agricultural vehicle configured to pull the grain cart; and a controller located on the second agricultural vehicle configured to control operation of the unloading auger of the first agricultural vehicle.

7. The auger unloading system of claim 6, wherein the controller of the second agricultural vehicle is configured to communicate with a controller of the first agricultural vehicle.

8. The auger unloading system of claim 6, wherein the second agricultural vehicle further comprises a transmitter to transmit a signal to the first agricultural vehicle.

9. The auger unloading system of claim 8, wherein the first agricultural vehicle further comprises a receiver to receive the signal.

10. The auger unloading system of claim 8, wherein the controller of the first agricultural vehicle is configured to manipulate the unloading auger in response to the signal.

1 1 . The auger unloading system of claim 8, wherein the controller of the first agricultural vehicle is configured to operate in a first mode in which the unloading auger is controlled by a user interface on the first agricultural vehicle and a second mode in which the unloading auger is controlled in response to the signal.

12. A method, comprising: receiving a signal from a remote communications device at an agricultural vehicle having an unloading auger; and manipulating the operation of the unloading auger in response to the signal.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of manipulating the operation of the unloading auger in response to the signal comprises stopping the unloading auger.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of manipulating the unloading in response to the signal comprises stopping the unloading auger.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of manipulating the unloading auger in response to the signal comprises stopping and starting the unloading auger.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising transmitting the signal from the remote communications device.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising receiving a command signal from a controller at the agricultural vehicle and manipulating the unloading auger in response to the command signal.