Assembly for adjusting agricultural machinery for deep soil conditioning or decompaction processes with variable depth setting and method for the use thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to an assembly or kit for adjusting agricultural machinery for deep soil conditioning or soil decompaction processes with a variable depth setting, suitable for being incorporated into new or existing agricultural machinery, such as decompactors, subsoilers, chisel ploughs, paratill ploughs, weeders and the like, which is characterised in that it comprises a hydraulic control device interposed in the hydraulic circuit of said agricultural machinery, usually between the hydraulic fluid pressure pump and the actuators, which are usually hydraulic; and a programmable control device, which contains stored information about the ground to be worked, such as moisture, compaction level and other parameters of interest for the task, and which is programmed to determine the depth of penetration of the agricultural implement of the machinery into the soil based on said parameters.

Description

[0001] REGULATING ASSEMBLY FOR AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY FOR DEEP SOIL CONDITIONING OR VARIABLE RATE DECOMPACTION PROCESSES AND METHOD FOR ITS USE

[0002] FIELD OF INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to implements for agricultural machinery for soil conditioning and / or soil decompaction such as decompactors, chisels, subsoilers, paratil, weed control machines and the like.

[0004] More precisely, the present invention relates to a regulating assembly that acts on the hydraulic circuit of agricultural machinery, causing changes in the depth of penetration of deep tillage or decompaction implements in the soil to be conditioned.

[0005] STATE OF THE ART - DISADVANTAGES

[0006] In recent years, the agricultural industry has focused its attention on the level of soil compaction caused by various human actions, such as the introduction of heavier machinery, carrying out tasks on soil with high moisture levels, always passing through the same places on the land, and the decrease in cover material (Organic Matter).

[0007] Soil compaction has the following drawbacks:

[0008] Reduced soil oxygenation: Compaction decreases the amount of air in the soil, which affects root respiration and microbial activity.

[0009] Reduced water infiltration, since compacted soils have a lower capacity to absorb water, which can lead to waterlogging and less water availability for plants.

[0010] Limited root growth, as roots have more difficulty penetrating compacted soils, which limits their development and the plants' ability to absorb nutrients and water. Reduced microbial and earthworm activity, as the lack of oxygen and lower soil porosity negatively affect beneficial soil organisms, such as earthworms and microorganisms.

[0011] Decreased crop yield, since all these factors combined can lead to a significant reduction in crop yield, affecting agricultural production in general.

[0012] Today, the problem is addressed with soil conditioning machinery such as soil looseners, chisel plows, subsoilers, harrows, and / or weed control tools that work on the soil at a specific depth. This depth is manually adjusted hydraulically before starting the work and remains constant throughout. In other words, once the depth to which the tool will penetrate the soil is set, it remains at that depth throughout the machine's travel.

[0013] To set the depth to which the tool will penetrate the ground, a hydraulic system is used that works as follows:

[0014] A pump takes oil from a reservoir and pressurizes it, converting the engine's mechanical energy into hydraulic energy.

[0015] Valves direct the flow of pressurized oil to the actuators, regulating the speed, force, and direction of movement.

[0016] Actuators, such as hydraulic actuators, convert hydraulic energy into mechanical motion. In this type of agricultural machinery, this mechanical motion determines the vertical positioning of the tines or arms that break up the soil.

[0017] The pressurized oil circulates between the different components of the system through pipes or tubing.

[0018] Finally, once it has completed its journey through the system, the oil returns to the tank to be reused in a new cycle.

[0019] Thus, once the vertical position of the tines, arms or similar parts intended to penetrate the soil to a certain depth has been set, it will remain in that position throughout the task until the machine stops and an operator manually determines a new vertical position for the tool, activates the hydraulic mechanism and generates the change of position.

[0020] Some of the agricultural machines intended to carry out the work of conditioning the soil are chisels, decompactors, subsoilers, the paratil or weed control machines through cutting bars at low depth.

[0021] Chisel plows are used to break up and loosen soil without turning it over completely, helping to maintain soil structure and reduce erosion. They use sturdy tines to break up and aerate the soil without turning it over, which helps maintain soil structure and improves water infiltration. This type of machinery is also used to break up compacted layers of soil, but with a design that minimizes surface disturbance, preserving vegetation cover and reducing erosion.

[0022] Soil looseners are used to loosen and break up compacted soil, facilitating water penetration and root growth. They perform deep vertical tillage that cracks excessively compacted soils without inverting the soil profile or burying vegetation. This facilitates water penetration and root growth.

[0023] Subsoilers are used to loosen compacted soil, improve water and air infiltration, and facilitate root growth. Similar to soil looseners, but focused on fracturing compacted soil layers at greater depths, improving drainage and aeration.

[0024] The paratil is used to break up compacted layers of soil, improving water and air infiltration, and facilitating root growth.

[0025] Machines for general weed control. These are shallow-cutting bar blades for eliminating resistant weeds.

[0026] These actions and implements aim to improve soil structure, facilitating plant growth and optimizing water and nutrient use. DISADVANTAGES OF THE CURRENT TECHNIQUE

[0027] However, the level of soil compaction or the height of weed roots is not uniform across a given field. This means that soil conditioning or weed control tools penetrating at a uniform depth will not be optimal, as some parts of the field will require deeper or shallower penetration than others.

[0028] If, for example, an entire plot is worked to a certain depth that is adequate for half the plot but excessive for the other half, more fuel will be used, tools will wear out more, more working time will be required, etc. Finally, breaking up the soil too much where it is not necessary generates deterioration of it instead of improvement, so it ends up generating the opposite effect to what is sought.

[0029] On the other hand, if, for example, an entire plot is worked to a certain depth that is adequate for half of the plot but insufficient for the other half, then the soil conditioning will also be unsatisfactory.

[0030] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] The present invention relates to a set or "kit" regulating agricultural machinery for deep soil conditioning or variable-rate soil decompaction processes, suitable for incorporation into new or pre-existing agricultural machinery such as decompactors, subsoilers, chisels, harrows, weed controllers, or similar equipment. It is distinguished by comprising a hydraulic control device that is interposed in the hydraulic circuit of the aforementioned agricultural machinery, usually between the hydraulic fluid pressure pump and the actuators, usually hydraulic; and a programmable control device that stores information about the terrain to be worked, such as moisture, compaction level, and other parameters of interest for the task, and is programmed to determine the penetration depth of the agricultural implement of the machinery into the soil based on said parameters.

[0032] Hydraulic actuators that can be used include hydraulic cylinders, which are usually used to generate linear motion. They can be single-acting (only pushing) or double-acting (pushing and pulling). Hydraulic motors are convenient when you want to convert hydraulic energy into rotary motion. Telescopic actuators are a variant of hydraulic cylinders that can extend in multiple stages, providing greater reach in a compact design. Rotary actuators are used to achieve rotary motion instead of linear motion. Lever actuators use a lever mechanism to convert the linear motion of the cylinder into angular motion.

[0033] The aforementioned hydraulic control device comprises flow regulating means suitable for controlling the movement of the actuators of the agricultural machinery and is mounted on the frame of the implement of said agricultural machinery. Its integration with the agricultural machinery is achieved through a plurality of hydraulic connection elements, such as connectors and hoses arranged within the hydraulic control device.

[0034] The aforementioned hydraulic control device also comprises a power unit that supplies the flow regulating means and a communication module suitable for interacting with the programmable control device, wherein communication between the programmable control device and the flow regulating means can be carried out wirelessly or physically.

[0035] The aforementioned programmable control device is arranged in a location accessible to an operator, inside the driving cab of the agricultural machinery, thus allowing its visualization or interaction during operation.

[0036] Finally, a measuring device is provided, suitable for establishing a relationship between the position of these actuators and the depth of penetration of the agricultural implement into the soil. The preferred location of this measuring device is substantially adjacent to and substantially parallel to the actuator, but this position is not exclusive; it is sufficient that it is within the operator's reach during the soil conditioning or decompaction task for its placement to be useful.

[0037] Thus, with the described control system, a process can be implemented in which a scanned map of the soil of the plot to be treated is loaded into a programmable control device equipped with a GPS system. This map contains data on texture, moisture, and compaction levels for each portion of the plot. The programmable control device interprets the scanned map with the GPS system and assigns compaction levels to specific coordinates for each portion of the plot to be treated, determining critical compaction areas and generating the route and action plan for soil treatment.

[0038] With the parameters already established, the agricultural machinery moves to the starting coordinates of the work and begins its journey following the coordinates established by the programmable control device, based on its real-time location as indicated by the GPS system.

[0039] As the agricultural machine advances, the programmable control device issues commands to the flow regulating means of the hydraulic control device so that these generate contraction or expansion movements of the actuators, usually hydraulic actuators, by controlling the flow of the hydraulic fluid, thus producing the variation of the vertical position of the implement in the ground, which determines the variation of the depth of penetration of said implement in the ground as the agricultural machine advances.

[0040] Throughout the entire journey of the agricultural machinery, the automatic adjustment of the penetration depth of the implement is established by the programmable control device according to the level of compaction determined for each portion of the plot to be treated.

[0041] ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0042] The present invention proposes a system suitable for automatically and in real time regulating the penetration depth of an agricultural implement into the soil during deep soil conditioning or decompaction processes. An advantage of the present invention is that it achieves soil conditioning at a variable rate both vertically (depth of soil penetration by the corresponding agricultural implements) and horizontally (determining the depth levels for each point on the soil surface to be treated).

[0043] Another benefit of this innovative system is fuel savings, as it only applies to the area requiring conditioning, not the entire field. Another advantage is the reduction in operating time, since depth adjustments are made while the machine is moving, eliminating the need to stop the machinery or for an operator to manually adjust the settings.

[0044] Another advantage of the invented solution is that it increases the lifespan of the agricultural tool parts, especially implements such as arms or tines, given their selective use.

[0045] And the most decisive advantage obtained is that better conservation of the soil as a natural resource is achieved since it is worked according to its needs point by point and not in a generic way.

[0046] Another additional advantage is that the invented assembly can be mounted on any new or used implement (compactors, chisels, subsoilers, paratil, brush cutters, etc...) that has a hydraulic circuit that can be operated.

[0047] In conclusion, the present invention allows for more efficient soil conditioning without unnecessarily breaking it up, thus achieving better soil conservation with improved management and preservation of resources such as time, fuel, and tool parts.

[0048] SYNTHETIC DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0049] To elaborate on the advantages briefly discussed above, to which users and experts in the field may add many more, and to facilitate the understanding of the constructive, constitutive, and functional characteristics of the invented agricultural machinery regulating assembly, a preferred embodiment is described below, as illustrated schematically and without a specific scale in the attached plates, with the express clarification that, precisely because it is an example, it should not be assigned a limiting or exclusive character to the scope of protection of the present invention, but rather it simply serves a purely explanatory and illustrative purpose regarding the basic concept on which it is based.

[0050] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the three main components of the invented regulating assembly. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the hydraulic fluid conduction elements that form part of the hydraulic control device already integrated into the standard circuit of agricultural machinery.

[0051] Figure 3 is a side view that shows, in a schematic way, the parts that make up the invented regulating assembly, already interposed in the agricultural machinery.

[0052] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EXAMPLE OF IMPLEMENTATION

[0053] List of alphanumeric assignments to the illustrated elements

[0054] A. Agricultural machinery

[0055] 1. Invented regulator assembly

[0056] 2. Hydraulic control device

[0057] 3. Programmable control device

[0058] 4. Hydraulic actuators

[0059] 5. Agricultural implement (tines, arms, blades, or similar)

[0060] 6. Flow regulation means

[0061] 7. Unit of energy

[0062] 8. Internal electrical cable

[0063] HYDRAULIC CONNECTION ELEMENTS OF THE INVENTED ASSEMBLY:

[0064] 9. Front connectors

[0065] 10. Rear connectors

[0066] 11. First internal pressure hose

[0067] 12. Second internal pressure hose

[0068] 13. First internal return hose

[0069] 14. Second internal return hose

[0070] 15. First external pressure hose

[0071] 16. Second external pressure hose

[0072] 17. First external return hose

[0073] 18. Second external return hose

[0074] 19. Measuring device

[0075] 20. Communication Module

[0076] 21. External electrical cable

[0077] In the present embodiment of the invention, Figure 1 highlights its two essential elements and a third element. The first essential element is a hydraulic control device (2), which is essential for regulating the vertical movement of the agricultural implement according to soil conditions. It is the component responsible for adjusting the penetration depth of the agricultural implement through the use of actuators.The second essential element is a programmable control device (3) which is basically made up of a mobile electronic device such as a tablet or a smartphone, a notebook computer or similar, which has at least software suitable for processing the required information, a geopositioning system (GPS) and a communication system via cable or wirelessly or Wi-Fi; and to which a scanned map of the terrain to be treated is loaded, in which data on texture, moisture and compaction levels are established for each portion of the lot.

[0078] This device is also an essential component, as it is responsible for determining the depth of penetration of the agricultural implement into the soil. The programmable controller establishes the conditions under which the machinery will adjust its operation, allowing for variable penetration rates based on predefined parameters or information gathered from the terrain.

[0079] These two elements, the hydraulic control device (2) and the programmable control device (3), are the pillars of the operation of the invention since the interaction between them (allows the operation of the machinery to be adjusted in real time and dynamically).

[0080] Figure 1 also shows a measuring device (19) that correlates the position of the hydraulic actuators with the penetration depth of the agricultural implement. This provides the assembly with additional functionality to ensure greater accuracy when determining the depth of penetration of the agricultural implement into the soil.

[0081] The programmable controller device (3) is preferably located in the operator's cab of the agricultural machinery or in any other part accessible to the operator during the course of tasks.

[0082] As can be seen in Fig. 1, the hydraulic control device (2) is in turn composed of flow regulating means (6), hydraulic connection elements consisting of front connectors (9), rear connectors (19) and a first internal pressure hose (11), a second internal pressure hose (12), a first internal return hose (13) and a second internal return hose (14); a power unit (7) that powers the flow regulating means (6) and a communication module (20) suitable for interacting with the programmable control device, where communication between the programmable control device (3) and the flow regulating means (6) can be carried out wirelessly or physically.

[0083] The flow regulating elements (6) can be solenoid valves, proportional valves, pilot-operated pressure valves, automatic pressure relief valves, pressure sequence valves, quick-closing valves, check valves and / or any other type of flow regulating means that can be controlled non-manually, for example wirelessly or physically by cable.

[0084] The hydraulic connection elements allow the integration of the regulator assembly (1) with the hydraulic circuit usually existing in agricultural machinery (A).

[0085] The communication module (20) can be wireless or wired and enables interaction between the programmable control device (3) and the hydraulic control device (2).

[0086] As can be seen in Fig. 2, the front connectors (9) of the hydraulic control device (2) receive hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump of the agricultural machinery (A) via a first external pressure hose (15). From these front connectors (9), and still within the hydraulic control device (2), the hydraulic fluid is directed to a flow regulating unit (6) by a first internal pressure hose (11). At the outlet of the flow regulating unit (6), a second internal pressure hose (12) directs the hydraulic fluid to the outside of the hydraulic control device (2) through one of the rear connectors (10).

[0087] To ensure the return of the hydraulic fluid to the oil reservoir, the hydraulic control device (2) has rear connectors (10), a first internal return hose (13) and a second internal return hose (14).

[0088] The hydraulic control device (2) is also equipped with a power unit (7) which enables, via the internal electrical cable (8), the power supply to the flow regulation means (6) and also contains a wifi communication module which enables communication between the programmable control device (3) and the flow regulation means (6) on a permanent basis.

[0089] Finally, the third component of the regulating assembly (1) is a measuring device (19) which, in this embodiment, is positioned adjacent to and substantially parallel to the hydraulic actuator (4) - See Fig. 3 - suitable for establishing a relationship between the opening level of said hydraulic actuator (4) and the depth of penetration of the agricultural implement (5) into the soil.

[0090] Figure 2 illustrates the hose layout after the hydraulic control device (2) is installed in the standard hydraulic circuit of the agricultural machinery (A). This diagram shows a first external pressure hose (15) connected at one end to the pressure pump and at the other to one of the front connectors (9) of the hydraulic control device (2). Inside the hydraulic control device (2), and again via the front connector (9), the first external pressure hose (15) connects to the first internal pressure hose (11), which carries the hydraulic fluid to the flow regulating means (6). At the outlet of the flow regulating means (6), the hydraulic fluid is carried by a second internal pressure hose (12) to the outside of the hydraulic control device (2).This second internal pressure hose (12) is connected, via one of the rear connectors (10), to a second external pressure hose (16) which carries the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator (4) - see Fig. 3-.

[0091] As shown in Fig. 2, the hydraulic fluid return is conducted through a first external return hose (17), which connects at one end to the hydraulic actuator and at the other to one of the rear connectors (10) of the hydraulic control device (2). This first external return hose (17) is connected, via one of the rear connectors (10), to a first internal return hose (13) located inside the hydraulic control device (2), which carries the hydraulic fluid to the flow regulating means section (6). At the outlet of the flow regulating means section (6), a second internal return hose (14) is connected, via one of the front connectors (9), to a second external return hose (18) which carries the hydraulic fluid to the unlubricated oil reservoir of the agricultural machinery (A).

[0092] Figure 3 is a complete schematic of agricultural machinery (A) designed for deep soil conditioning and / or variable-rate soil decompaction, illustrating the improvement incorporated by the present invention. The schematic shows the machine's control cab (A), similar to that of a tractor, which houses the programmable control device (3). This programmable control device (3) is loaded with a pre-scanned map of the soil in the area to be treated, containing data on texture, moisture, and compaction levels for each portion of the area. The programmable control device (3) interprets the scanned map using a GPS system and, through software, assigns compaction levels to specific coordinates for each portion of the area to be treated, identifying critical compaction areas and generating the route and action plan for soil treatment.Also in Fig. 3, it can be seen, always in a schematic way since it is a matter of standard connections and common elements, such as the first external pressure hose (15), the second external return hose (18) and an external electrical cable (21) link the resources of the tractor such as the hydraulic fluid pressurizing pump, the hydraulic fluid reservoir and an electrical power source, with the hydraulic control device (2) that is part of the invented control assembly (1), which is arranged on the frame of the agricultural implement (5), in a position such that it allows it to link the hydraulic circuit that starts from the tractor with the hydraulic actuator (4) that is usually found at the end of said hydraulic circuit, already on the frame of the implement (5).

[0093] It can also be seen in Fig. 3 how the hydraulic control device (3) is linked to the hydraulic actuator (4) through a second external pressure hose (16) and a first external return hose (17).

[0094] Finally, and as can be seen in Fig. 3, the invented controller assembly (1) is completed with a measuring device (19) which, in this embodiment, is arranged in a position adjacent to and substantially parallel to the hydraulic actuator (4), and is used to establish a relationship between the opening level of said hydraulic actuator (4) whose direction of movement is substantially horizontal and the depth of penetration of the agricultural implement (5) into the soil, whose direction of movement is substantially vertical.

Claims

1.- AN AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY REGULATING ASSEMBLY FOR SOIL CONDITIONING OR SOIL DECOMPACTION PROCESSES AT VARIABLE RATE suitable for incorporation into new or pre-existing agricultural machinery (A) such as decompactors, subsoilers, chisels, plows, weed controllers or similar, characterized in that; it comprises a hydraulic control device (2) that is interposed in the hydraulic circuit of the aforementioned agricultural machinery (A) between the hydraulic fluid pressure pump and at least one actuator (4); a programmable control device (3) programmed to determine the penetration depth of an agricultural implement (5) of the agricultural machinery (A) in the soil based on predefined parameters. 2.- AN AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY REGULATING ASSEMBLY as claimed in 1, characterized in that the hydraulic control device (2) is arranged on the frame of the agricultural implement (5) of the aforementioned agricultural machinery (A). 3 AN AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY REGULATING ASSEMBLY as claimed in 1, characterized in that the hydraulic control device (2) is integrated into the agricultural machinery (A) by means of a plurality of hydraulic connection elements. 4.- AN AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY REGULATING ASSEMBLY as claimed in 3, characterized in that the hydraulic connection elements are front connectors (9), rear connectors (10), a first and second internal pressure hoses (11) and (12) and a first and second internal return hose (13) and (14). 5.- AN AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY REGULATING ASSEMBLY as claimed in 1, characterized in that the hydraulic control device (2) comprises flow regulating means (6) suitable for controlling the movement of actuators (4) of the agricultural machinery (A). 6.- AN AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY REGULATING ASSEMBLY as claimed in 1, characterized in that the hydraulic control device (2) comprises a power unit (7) that supplies the flow regulating means (6) and a communication module (10) suitable for interacting with the programmable control device (3). 7.- AN AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY REGULATING ASSEMBLY according to claims 1 and 6, characterized in that the communication between the programmable control device (3) and the flow regulation means (6) is carried out wirelessly. 8.- AN AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY REGULATING ASSEMBLY as claimed in 1 and 4, characterized in that the communication between the programmable control device (3) and the flow regulation means (6) is carried out physically. 9.- AN AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY REGULATING ASSEMBLY as claimed in 1, characterized in that the programmable control device (3) contains stored information about the terrain to be worked. 10.- AN AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY REGULATING ASSEMBLY as claimed in 1, characterized in that the programmable control device (3) is arranged in a place accessible to an operator, inside the driving cab of the agricultural machinery (A), allowing its visualization or interaction during operation. 11.- AN AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY REGULATING ASSEMBLY as claimed in 1, characterized in that a measuring device (11) is linked to the hydraulic control device (3) and is suitable for establishing a relationship between the position of said actuators (4) and the penetration depth of the implement (5) in the soil. 12.- AN AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY REGULATING ASSEMBLY as claimed in 11, characterized in that the measuring device is arranged in a position substantially adjacent and substantially parallel to at least one of the actuators (4). 13.- METHOD FOR SOIL CONDITIONING OR DECOMPACTION PROCESSES VARIABLE RATE SOIL MILL with the regulating assembly (1) according to claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a. A scanned map of the soil of the plot to be treated, in which data on texture, moisture and compaction levels are established for each portion of the plot, is loaded into a programmable control device (3) equipped with a GPS system. b. The programmable control device (3) interprets the scanned map with the system. GPS c. The programmable control device (3) assigns compaction levels to specific coordinates for each portion of the plot to be treated, determining critical compaction areas and generating the route and action plan for soil treatment. d. The agricultural machinery (A) moves to the starting coordinates of the work. e. The agricultural machinery (A) begins its journey following the coordinates established by the programmable control device (3), based on its real-time location as indicated by the GPS system. f.As the agricultural machine (A) advances, the programmable control device (3) issues commands to the flow regulating means (6) of the hydraulic control device (2) so that they generate contraction or expansion movements of the actuators (4) by controlling the flow of the hydraulic fluid, thus producing the variation of the vertical position of the agricultural implement (5) in the soil, which determines the variation of the depth of penetration of said agricultural implement (5) in the soil as the agricultural machine (A) advances. The automatic adjustment of the penetration depth of the agricultural implement (5) is established according to the level of compaction determined for each portion of the plot to be treated.

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