Adjustable Vehicle Platform for Parallel Seed Row Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural vehicles with gantry configurations often lack lateral adjustment of planting row units, leading to non-parallel seed rows and excessive soil compaction, which can hinder efficient planting and affect crop growth.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle platform with adjustable legs and track assemblies that allow dynamic adjustment of the planting row units' position and footprint, enabling precise lateral positioning and minimizing soil compaction through a combination of actuators, sensors, and a data processor that adjusts the track contact area based on speed and yaw rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a gantry configuration is used to support planting implements, then the vehicle can perform agricultural tasks, but lateral adjustment of planting row units is limited resulting in non-parallel seed rows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the planting row units laterally adjustable relative to the vehicle body. The row units can move laterally along the gantry beams and be positioned at different lateral locations, transforming a static gantry structure into a dynamic system that adapts to maintain parallel row alignment during vehicle operation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional wheels are used for vehicle support, then the vehicle can move, but excessive soil compaction occurs affecting crop growth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the support interface by replacing traditional point-contact wheels with track assemblies that provide distributed line-contact support. This parameter change from point contact to line contact increases the surface area in contact with the ground, reducing ground pressure and minimizing soil compaction while maintaining vehicle mobility.
3Ease of operation
If the track contact area is reduced for better maneuverability, then yaw rate increases, but soil compiction worsens at higher speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the track contact area adjustable during operation. The system can dynamically change the track contact area based on operational conditions - using smaller contact areas for maneuvering when maneuverability is needed, and larger contact areas for straight-line travel when minimizing soil compaction is the priority.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the track contact area by allowing it to vary between extended and retracted positions. This parameter change enables the system to optimize the balance between maneuverability (requiring smaller contact area) and soil compaction reduction (requiring larger contact area) based on the specific operational context.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A vehicle platform (11, 711) comprises a central body (10, 110, 210, 212) that can support (500) one or more implement configurations, such as sprayer booms, or planting row units (212). A plurality of adjustable legs (10, 12) extends downward from the central body (10, 110, 210, 212). Each adjustable leg (12) has a corresponding leg actuator (37) to adjust a respective vertical height (33) of each adjustable leg (12). Each adjustable leg (12) supports the central body (10, 110, 210, 212). Planting row units (212) are supported by or suspended from the central body (10, 110, 210, 212).