Actuator Pressure Control for Faster Agricultural Tool Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural implement systems are slow to respond to changes in field conditions such as residue coverage, soil roughness, and soil clod size, requiring improved systems for adjusting actuator pressure to optimize tool performance.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a fluid-driven actuator, valve, and position sensor, with a computing system that determines the current position and volume of the fluid chamber to control the valve operation, allowing for quick adjustments in actuator pressure by calculating the necessary valve opening duration based on current and desired pressures, volume, and geometric parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional actuator pressure adjustment systems are used, then the system can maintain basic functionality, but the response speed to field condition changes is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and stores the relationship between tool position and fluid chamber volume using geometric parameters. When adjustment is needed, the computing system retrieves pre-determined volume information and calculates valve opening duration immediately, eliminating the need for real-time complex computations and enabling rapid response to field condition changes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical pressure adjustment mechanisms with an electronically controlled system that uses a computing system, position sensor, and electronically actuated valve. This substitution enables faster and more precise control of actuator pressure by using electronic calculations and digital signal processing instead of mechanical linkages and manual adjustments
2Productivity
If multiple valve cycles are used to adjust actuator pressure, then the adjustment can be achieved, but the response time increases and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-determines the exact valve opening duration needed to achieve the desired pressure change by calculating the required fluid volume change based on current and target positions. This preliminary calculation of the precise adjustment parameter allows the system to achieve the desired tool position in a single valve operation cycle, eliminating the need for multiple trial-and-error cycles and significantly reducing adjustment time
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous monitoring of tool position via the position sensor and continuously adjusts actuator pressure as needed during operation. By calculating the precise valve opening duration to achieve the target position in one continuous action rather than through multiple discrete cycles, the system minimizes interruptions and maintains continuous productive operation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables quicker and more responsive adjustments to changing field conditions, improving the implement's ability to adapt to varying soil conditions without relying on multiple valve cycles, thus enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid-driven actuator configured to adjust a position of the tool relative to the implement frame, with the fluid-driven actuator defining a fluid chamber
Implementation Method 2
a valve configured to control a flow of a fluid to the fluid-driven actuator
Data Source
AI summary
A system for adjusting actuator pressure on an agricultural implement includes a fluid-driven actuator configured to adjust a position of a tool of the implement relative to the implement frame, with the fluid-driven actuator defining a fluid chamber. Furthermore, the system includes a valve configured to control a flow of a fluid to the fluid-driven actuator. In addition, the system includes a fluid conduit fluidly coupled between the valve and the fluid chamber. Moreover, the system includes a computing system is configured to determine the current position of the tool relative to the implement frame based on the data captured by a position sensor. Additionally, the computing system is configured to determine a current volume of the fluid chamber and the fluid conduit based on the determined current position. Furthermore, the computing system is configured to control the operation of the valve based on the determined current volume.