Agricultural Implement Lift Control for Ground-Profile Obstacle Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural machinery with larger implements face challenges in reacting quickly to obstacles like ditches during harvesting, leading to structural damage and operational halts, and existing solutions like stiffer structures and larger wheels increase weight and cost.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural machinery system with actuators and sensors to adjust the implement's ground clearance based on real-time ground profile data, using a control unit to lift or lower the implement to avoid obstacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stiffer and more rigid structures are installed on the implement, then the implement can better follow the ground profile and avoid damage, but the weight and size of the implement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor detects the ground profile ahead of the implement before the implement reaches the obstacle, allowing the control system to prepare and adjust the implement position in advance. This preliminary detection and preparation eliminates the need for heavy rigid structures, as the implement can react proactively to upcoming terrain changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces heavy mechanical rigid structures with a sensor-based detection system and hydraulic actuator system. Instead of using stiff mechanical components to prevent damage, the system uses sensors to detect ground profile and hydraulics to dynamically adjust the implement position, achieving the same protective function with lighter components.
2Reliability
If larger guiding or support wheels are used to enable the implement to follow ground profile, then the implement can prevent damages to obstacles, but the weight and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy mechanical guiding wheels with a sensor-based ground profile detection system combined with hydraulic actuation. The sensor detects terrain features ahead of time, and the hydraulic system adjusts the implement position accordingly, eliminating the need for large, expensive mechanical guiding wheels.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary between the sensor detection and the actuator response. It processes the ground profile data, determines the appropriate implement position adjustments, and controls the hydraulic actuator accordingly, enabling precise obstacle avoidance without heavy mechanical components.
3Productivity
If the implement is kept close to the ground for high cropping capacity, then harvesting efficiency increases, but the operator cannot react quickly enough to invisible obstacles like ditches
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is positioned ahead of the implement to detect ground profile and obstacles before the implement reaches them. This allows the control system to prepare position adjustments in advance, maintaining high harvesting speed while proactively preventing obstacles from causing damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously receives feedback from the sensor about the ground profile ahead, processes this information through the control system, and adjusts the implement position in real-time based on this feedback loop. This enables the implement to maintain close ground contact for high productivity while dynamically responding to terrain changes.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for operating an agricultural machinery (1) with an implement (2), wherein the machinery (1) comprises at least one actuator (3) for lifting/lowering the implement (2) relative to a ground surface, and at least one sensor (4a, 4b) being arranged at a predetermined distance ahead of and away from the implement (2) in a harvesting direction (v) of the agricultural machinery (1), wherein the agricultural machinery (1) further comprises a control unit (5) configured to receive sensor signals from the at least one sensor (4a, 4b) and to operate the actuator (3). The suggested method comprises the steps of a) determining the ground profile (6) ahead of the implement (2) by the sensor (4, 4b), b) analyzing the determined ground profile (6), and c) selectively causing the actuator (3) to lift or lower the implement (2) according to the result of the analyzing step.