Agricultural Implement Control for Transport Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural machinery, particularly ploughs, experience instability and increased wear during transport due to significant weight and forces from changes in speed or direction, which existing methods fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling agricultural machinery involves determining the likelihood of changes in speed or direction of motion using travel-data and actuator-control-signals to activate actuators, such as hydraulic systems, to adjust the position of the implement relative to the vehicle, thereby mitigating the impact of these changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the plough implement is lifted above the road surface during transport, then the ground engaging tools are cleared from the road, but the significant weight of the plough implement rests entirely on the agricultural vehicle, creating stress and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the counterweight principle by allowing the plough implement to rest partially on the road surface during transport, using the road as a support surface to counterbalance the weight of the implement. This reduces the stress on the agricultural vehicle while maintaining stability through controlled contact between the implement and road.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the plough implement is fully mounted and lifted during transport, then the implement can be transported to and from work areas, but forces from changes in speed or direction are substantially amplified, resulting in instability and increased wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by allowing controlled contact between the plough implement and the road surface during transport. This contact acts as a cushioning mechanism that absorbs and reduces the impact forces generated by changes in speed or direction, preventing these forces from being substantially amplified and thereby reducing instability and wear on the implement and vehicle.
3Productivity
If the plough implement is positioned for deep soil penetration during operation, then effective tillage is achieved, but the implement creates greater momentum during transport which amplifies forces from speed or direction changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by changing the position of the plough implement during transport, allowing it to rest partially on the road surface. This dynamic adjustment reduces the momentum of the implement during transport, thereby reducing the forces created by changes in speed or direction, while still allowing the implement to be positioned for deep soil penetration during 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
This approach reduces the stress on the vehicle and implement during transport, enhancing stability and extending the service life of the machinery by proactively adjusting the position of the agricultural implement in response to predicted changes in speed or direction.
Implementation Method 1
at least one actuator for moving at least a part of the agricultural implement with respect to the agricultural vehicle
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling an agricultural machinery, the agricultural machinery comprising an agricultural vehicle and an agricultural implement, the agricultural machinery comprising at least one actuator for moving at least a part of the agricultural implement with respect to the agricultural vehicle, wherein the method comprises: determining a likelihood of a change in the agricultural implement's speed and/or direction of motion; determining an actuator-control-signal based on the likelihood of change; activating the at least one actuator on the basis of the actuator-control-signal.