Agricultural Implement Basket Actuation for Clay-Linked Plugging Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Tillage implements experience plugging due to material accumulation on and within ground-engaging tools, making it difficult for operators to detect and address the plugged condition, especially in autonomous agricultural systems.

Innovation Solution

An agricultural system with a computing system that determines clay content using electrical conductivity data from field sensors, adjusting the position of basket assemblies to prevent plugging by altering their position based on soil conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If ground-engaging tools are used for tillage operations, then soil preparation performance is improved, but plugging occurs due to material accumulation on and within the tools

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetillage operation performanceVSAvoidground-engaging tool functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of plugging conditions using sensors (optical, capacitive, or other types) positioned to monitor ground-engaging tools before complete plugging occurs. Based on sensor indications, the controller proactively adjusts tool positions or operational parameters to prevent plugging, rather than waiting for the problem to manifest fully.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a closed-loop feedback mechanism where sensors continuously monitor the ground-engaging tools for material accumulation. The controller receives sensor signals and automatically adjusts tool positions, depths, or other parameters in real-time based on the detected plugging conditions, creating a self-correcting system that maintains optimal performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If operators manually monitor and correct plugging conditions, then tool performance can be maintained, but detection difficulty and response time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool performance maintenanceVSAvoidplugged condition detection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a closed-loop feedback mechanism where sensors continuously monitor the ground-engaging tools for material accumulation. The controller receives sensor signals and automatically adjusts tool positions, depths, or other parameters in real-time based on the detected plugging conditions, creating a self-correcting system that maintains optimal performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables the agricultural implement to monitor and correct its own plugging conditions autonomously. Sensors detect material accumulation on the tools, and the controller automatically adjusts operational parameters or tool positions without requiring operator intervention, allowing the system to service itself during field operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If basket assembly position is dynamically adjusted based on soil conditions, then plugging is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplugging preventionVSAvoidbasket actuator control system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of plugging conditions using sensors (optical, capacitive, or other types) positioned to monitor ground-engaging tools before complete plugging occurs. Based on sensor indications, the controller proactively adjusts tool positions or operational parameters to prevent plugging, rather than waiting for the problem to manifest fully.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts basket assembly positions and other operational parameters in real-time based on sensor feedback regarding plugging conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the implement to respond to changing field conditions and material accumulation patterns, optimizing performance and preventing plugging through continuous adjustment rather than static configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Effectively reduces the likelihood of plugging by proactively adjusting basket assembly positions, enhancing the performance and efficiency of tillage operations.

Implementation Method 1

receive data indicative of an electrical conductivity of soil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conductivity measurement: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20250295047A1Systems and methods for an agricultural implement

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC

AI summary

An agricultural system can include an implement including a frame assembly. A basket assembly can be operably coupled with the frame assembly. A basket actuator can be operably coupled with the basket assembly and the frame assembly. The basket actuator can be configured to alter a position of the basket assembly relative to the frame assembly. A computing system can be communicatively coupled to the basket actuator. The computing system can include a processor and associated memory, the memory stores instructions that, when implemented by the processor, configure the computing system to receive a defined output characteristic, receive data indicative of a determined clay content of soil within the field, and determine a defined basket actuator position based at least partially on the clay content of the soil within the field and the defined output characteristic.