Agricultural Boom Wing Height Control via Ultrasonic Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle-mounted spraying systems face instability issues due to resilient mounting, which reduces wing height control stability and can cause uneven spraying when navigating undulating terrain, and the speed of ultrasonic distance sensors is not rapid enough to prevent wing impact on the ground.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for controlling the level of moveable wings in a vehicle-mounted spray system that includes determining initial control signals based on wing positions and compensating signals from sensors not on the wings, to stabilize wing height and prevent instability, using a combination of hydraulic rams and sensors like ultrasonic, roll measures, and time-delayed control signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If resilient mounting with springs and shock absorbers is used to absorb shocks and provide mechanical self-levelling, then the boom can tolerate severe twisting and movement shocks, but the stability of wing height control is greatly reduced causing delayed equilibrium
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a control system that continuously monitors wing height using ultrasonic distance sensors and adjusts hydraulic ram positions in real-time to maintain desired wing height, compensating for the instability introduced by resilient mounting
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical height control with an electro-hydraulic control system that uses electronic sensors and controllers to manage wing height, overcoming the limitations of mechanical self-levelling
2Ease of operation
If ultrasonic distance sensors are used to measure wing to ground distance, then automatic wing raising and lowering is enabled, but the response speed is not rapid enough to prevent wing impact on ground during rapid vehicle slope changes
Solution Approach 1:
The control system anticipates potential ground impact by continuously monitoring wing height and terrain conditions, enabling preventive wing raising before impact occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic control where the wing height adjustment responds to real-time terrain changes and vehicle motion, adapting the control strategy based on current operating conditions
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
The solution significantly improves stability and prevents wing impact by compensating for sympathetic movement between wings, ensuring accurate and consistent spraying, even on uneven terrain.
Implementation Method 1
ultrasonic distance sensors located on each wing. These distance sensors measure the distance between the wing and the ground surface
Implementation Method 2
the boom is divided into separate articulated arms or wings each of which are independently adjustable by hydraulic rams which function to raise or lower the booms
Implementation Method 3
a given flow rate is dispensed from a plurality of sprayers located along the arm
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for controlling the level of a moveable first wing in a vehicle mounted spray system. The vehicle mounted spray system comprises of the moveable first wing and a moveable second wing mounted to a common support structure to form a pair of opposed independently moveable wings extending laterally from the vehicle. The method and system comprise a first step of determining an initial control signal for the moveable first wing based on a position of the moveable first wing 210, then determining a compensating signal; and then controlling the level of the moveable first wing based on the initial control signal and the compensating signal.