Angular Detection Switching Device for Agricultural Machinery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural machinery, such as seed drills, face challenges in accurately detecting position changes during rotational movements, leading to inefficiencies in starting and stopping the metering device, resulting in unseeded or double-seeded zones, and requiring bulky translational actuators that expose the device to the environment.

Innovation Solution

A compact switching device with an angular guidance system that detects position changes at the articulation of the connecting device, allowing for precise control of the metering device during rotational kinematics, providing direct information on the machine's position and enabling adaptable use with rotational movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a translational actuator is used to detect position changes, then the detection function is achieved, but the device size increases and exposure to external environment increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition detection accuracyVSAvoidswitching device size

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the translational mechanical actuator with an angular detection system that uses rotational movement around the articulation point. The first member is fixed to the connecting device while the second member is fixed to the agricultural machine, and their relative angular position is detected by a sensor, eliminating the need for a bulky translational actuator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the detection dimension from linear translation to angular rotation. Instead of measuring linear displacement along the stroke direction, the system measures the angular position of the second member relative to the first member around the articulation point, providing compact detection with reduced exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If a translational actuator is used to detect position changes, then the detection function is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition detection accuracyVSAvoidswitching device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex translational actuator mechanism with a simpler angular detection system. The first member is fixed to the connecting device while the second member is fixed to the agricultural machine, and their relative angular position is detected by a sensor, eliminating the need for complex translational guidance structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If manual estimation is used to control metering device, then operational flexibility is maintained, but positioning accuracy deteriorates causing unseeded or double-seeded zones

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidposition accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements an automated feedback system where a sensor detects the angular position of the agricultural machine relative to the connecting device and generates a signal to automatically control the metering device. This eliminates manual estimation errors while maintaining operational flexibility through programmable control logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The switching device acts as an intermediary between the connecting device and the metering device. It detects the angular position changes and translates them into control signals that automatically activate or deactivate the metering device, removing the need for manual intervention while ensuring precise positioning control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If angular guidance is used at articulation, then adaptability to rotational kinematics is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to rotational movementsVSAvoidguidance system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal angular detection system that can be applied to various agricultural machines with rotational kinematics. The first member fixed to the connecting device and the second member fixed to the machine create a general-purpose detection mechanism that adapts to different rotational movements without requiring machine-specific customization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3022996B1Agricultural machine having a switching device with angular detection

Publication Date: 2018.01.31 KUHN SA

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AI summary

The present invention relates to an agricultural machine (1) or part of a machine having an active working position and an inactive position, comprising a switching device (5) and being connected to a linkage device (3), the switching device (5) having a first element (17), a second element (18) guided by the first element (17), and a switching means (19) for detecting a change in position of the agricultural machine (1) or the machine part relative to the linkage device (3). The agricultural machine (1) is notable in that the guidance between the first element (17) and the second element (18) is angular and the change in position is detected at a joint (3') of the linkage device (3).