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.