Agricultural Speed Guidance Controller for Metering Accuracy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural product application systems face challenges in maintaining metering accuracy and operating within preferred flow rate ranges, as existing systems often require operator judgment to avoid speed limits due to varying product application rates and wear, leading to decreased accuracy outside optimal ranges.
Innovation Solution
A controller for agricultural application machines that receives operating limits and application rates to determine a forward speed range, providing visual feedback to operators through a display, ensuring accurate operation within defined speed limits by selecting minimum and maximum speed values based on multiple application rates and section widths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the forward speed of the application machine is increased to improve productivity, then the output per unit time increases, but the metering accuracy deteriorates when operating outside the preferred flow rate range
Solution Approach 1:
The controller receives actual forward speed data from the agricultural application machine and uses this feedback to dynamically calculate and adjust the desired flow rate for each metering module, ensuring the system operates within optimal accuracy ranges while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the desired flow rate based on real-time forward speed conditions, allowing the metering system to adapt to varying operating speeds and maintain accuracy across a broader range of productivity levels
2Measurement precision
If the operator relies on skill and judgement to maintain metering accuracy, then the metering accuracy can be maintained within preferred ranges, but the operational complexity increases and requires trained personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The controller automatically performs the calculations and adjustments that previously required operator skill and judgement, making the system self-regulating and eliminating the need for trained personnel to manually manage metering accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical reliance on operator skill and judgement with an automated electronic control system that calculates and manages flow rates, transitioning from human-dependent operation to system-dependent automation
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple metering modules are used to serve different sections of product dispensing devices, then the system can handle varying section widths and application rates, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves as a universal management system that handles multiple metering modules through a single integrated unit, reducing device complexity by consolidating control functions while maintaining the ability to manage varying section widths and application rates
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural product application system includes a controller and product dispensing apparatus. The product dispensing apparatus includes a metering module in communication with the controller and is configured to control a flow rate of product from a product source to product dispensing units. A display device is in communication with the controller. The controller receives operating limits and an application rate of the product dispensing apparatus. The controller determines a forward speed range based upon the operating limits and on the application rate. Display information is generated for providing a visual representation on the display device of the forward speed range.