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US 2026/0305529 A1Published application
Windrow sensing attachment for a mower implement
AssigneeDeere & Company
InventorDarin L. Roth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A windrow sensing attachment includes a frame assembly having an arm attachment bar extend along a longitudinal bar axis. Each respective one of a plurality of arms includes an attachment end that is pivotably coupled to the arm attachment bar for rotational movement about the longitudinal bar axis and extends to a distal contact end for following a contour of a windrow. An arm position sensor is operable to detect data related to a rotational position of each arm relative to the longitudinal bar axis. An attachment controller determines a respective position of each of the arms relative to a ground surface and generates a cross-sectional profile of the windrow based on the respective position of each one of the arms.
Claims20
A windrow sensing attachment comprising:
- a frame assembly configured for attachment to a tow vehicle, and including an arm attachment bar extending along a longitudinal bar axis in a direction transverse to a direction of travel during operation;
- a plurality of arms, with each respective one of the plurality of arms having an attachment end pivotably coupled to the arm attachment bar for rotational movement about the longitudinal bar axis, and extending along a longitudinal arm axis substantially parallel to the direction of travel to a distal contact end, wherein the distal contact end is configured to contact and follow a contour of an upper surface of a windrow;
- an arm position sensor operable to detect data related to a rotational position of each respective one of the plurality of arms relative to and about the longitudinal bar axis, and generate an arm position signal indicative thereof;
- an attachment controller having a processor and a memory having a windrow mapping algorithm stored thereon, wherein the processor is operable to execute the windrow mapping algorithm to:
- determine a respective position of each one of the plurality of arms relative to a ground surface from the arm position signal of the arm position sensor;
- and
- generate a cross-sectional profile of the windrow, extending perpendicular to the direction of travel, based on the respective position of each one of the plurality of arms.
4 more elements
A mower implement comprising:
- a support structure;
- a crop cutter system coupled to the support structure and configured for cutting standing crop and positioning the cut crop material in a windrow on a ground surface;
- a frame assembly attached to the support structure rearward of the crop cutter system relative to a direction of travel during operation, the frame assembly including an arm attachment bar extending along a longitudinal bar axis in a direction transverse to the direction of travel;
- a plurality of arms, with each respective one of the plurality of arms having an attachment end pivotably coupled to the arm attachment bar for rotational movement about the longitudinal bar axis, and extending along a longitudinal arm axis substantially parallel to the direction of travel to a distal contact end, wherein the distal contact end is configured to contact and follow an upper surface of a windrow;
- an arm position sensor operable to detect data related to a rotational position of each respective one of the plurality of arms relative to and about the longitudinal bar axis, and generate an arm position signal indicative thereof;
- a plurality of force generators, with each respective one of the plurality of arms having a respective force generator coupled thereto for generating a downward force at the distal contact end thereof for pressing downward against the windrow with a defined constant force;
- an attachment controller having a processor and a memory having a windrow mapping algorithm stored thereon, wherein the processor is operable to execute the windrow mapping algorithm to:
- determine a respective position of each one of the plurality of arms relative to a ground surface from the arm position signal of the arm position sensor;
- estimate a density of the windrow under the distal contact end of each respective one of the plurality of arms based on the downward force generated at the distal contact end of each one of the plurality of arms;
- determine a cross-sectional profile extending perpendicular to the direction of travel of the windrow indicating cross sectional area of the windrow based on the respective position of each one of the plurality of arms;
- and
- estimate a crop mass of the windrow based on the cross-sectional profile of the windrow, the density of the windrow, and a distance traveled along the windrow in the direction of travel.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.