Integrated optimization of structure and control parameters for the height control system of a vertical spindle cotton picker

Abstract

Vertical picking method is a predominate method used to harvest cotton crop. However, a vertical picking method may cause spindle bending of the cotton picker if spindles collide with stones on the cotton field. Thus, how to realize a precise height control of the cotton picker is a crucial issue to be solved. The objective of this study is to design a height control system to avoid the collision. To design it, the mathematical models are established first. Then a multi-objective optimization model represented by structure parameters and control parameters is proposed to take the pressure of chamber without piston, response time and displacement error of the height control system as the optimization objectives. An integrated optimization approach that combines optimization via simulation, particle swarm optimization and simulated annealing is proposed to solve the model. Simulation and experimental test results show that the proposed integrated optimization approach can not only reduce the pressure of chamber without piston, but also decrease the response time and displacement error of the height control system.

Experimental study on wear failure of spindle hook teeth of cotton picker

“…According to the working condition of the spindle, periodic high-frequency collision will occur between the spindle and cotton stalk in the process of field operation (Dzierwa et al, 2008;Korzynski et al, 2009b). The coating of the spindle will be fatigued and result in fatigue spalling of the coating in the periodic high-frequency collision because many defects, such as microcracks and holes, exist in the coating of the spindle (Korzynski et al, 2009a;Imaz et al, 2014;Zhang et al, 2014;Chen et al, 2020b). The microstructure of the substrate surface after the failure of the three types of spindle coating at three positions demonstrated that additional evident scratches exist on the substrate surface likely due to the abrasive wear phenomenon caused by the sliding of hard particles on the substrate surface.…”

“…The cotton picker is a large type of equipment for mechanized harvesting of cotton and commonly used in the cotton harvesting process. The spindle is a key core component of the cotton picker, and its performance directly determines the picking efficiency and effect of the cotton picker field operation (Chen et al, 2020b;Bi, 2007;Li et al, 2022b). At the same time, the spindle is also the most consumed among wear parts on the cotton picker, and spindle hook teeth are very prone to wear failure problems (Wu et al, 2013;Zhang et al, 2017;Li et al, 2018;Gu et al, 2021;Li et al, 2022a).…”