Agricultural Spreader Settings from Throwing-Distance Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural spreaders require costly sensor-based systems to detect the throwing direction of spreading materials, leading to high implementation costs.
Innovation Solution
Determine suitable spreading settings by measuring the throwing distance of the spreading material using sensors and calculating the throwing direction based on material-specific properties, eliminating the need for direct sensor-based throwing direction detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If direct sensor-based detection of throwing direction is used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces throwing distance as an intermediary measurement parameter. Instead of directly measuring throwing direction with complex sensor arrays, the system measures throwing distance and uses it as a mediator to calculate the throwing direction indirectly, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/sensor-based direct direction detection system with a calculation-based system. By substituting physical sensors that directly detect direction with a computational approach that calculates direction from distance measurements and material properties, the system reduces hardware complexity
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are positioned close to the spreading disc for direct throwing direction detection, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the direct direction detection function from the sensor system. By removing the need for multiple sensors positioned close to the spreading disc and keeping only the distance measurement capability, the system reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining the essential measurement function through alternative means
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a more cost-effective measurement approach by using throwing distance measurement instead of expensive direct direction detection sensors. This substitution with a cheaper measurement method achieves the required functionality at lower manufacturing cost
3Device complexity
If throwing direction is calculated from throwing distance and material properties, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by collecting and storing material-specific properties (density, shape, size, friction coefficient) before the actual throwing direction calculation. This pre-preparation of data ensures that when calculation is needed, all necessary parameters are already available, maintaining precision without requiring complex real-time measurement systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by continuously measuring actual throwing distance and comparing it with expected values based on material properties and spreading settings. This feedback loop allows the system to refine its throwing direction calculations and adapt to varying conditions, maintaining precision despite the indirect measurement approach
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for determining suitable spreading settings for an agricultural spreading machine (10) for achieving an intended spreading material distribution of a spreading material (30) across an agricultural area in use (12), comprising the steps: during the spreading operation, determining the current ejection direction of the ejected spreading material (30) during a spreading operation and determining a suitable application point setting for the agricultural spreading machine (10) taking into account the determined current ejection direction of the ejected spreading material (30) and an ejection direction for the ejected spreading material (30) which is suitable for achieving the intended spreading material distribution.