Contouring Toolbar Actuator for Seed Depth Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural implements with rigid row units struggle to navigate uneven fields, leading to inconsistent seed depth and reduced crop yield due to lifting or excessive weight on row units when encountering terraces and gullies.
Innovation Solution
A contouring toolbar system with actuators that rotate the toolbar based on sensor data to maintain consistent engagement with the soil, adapting to field contours and preventing shallow or deep seed placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid row units are used in agricultural implements, then structural stability is improved, but the ability to handle uneven fields and maintain consistent seed depth deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The implement is divided into multiple independently articulated sections that can move relative to each other, allowing each section to adapt to local terrain variations while maintaining overall structural integrity. This segmentation enables the rigid row units to remain stable within their section while the entire implement flexes to accommodate uneven field conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The implement transitions from a completely rigid structure to a dynamically articulated system where sections can pivot and adjust independently. This dynamic capability allows the implement to maintain structural stability for each row unit while adapting its overall configuration to follow field contours and handle terraces and gullies effectively.
2Force
If frame wheels are used to support the implement, then load bearing capacity is improved, but the row units are lifted out of the ground when encountering terraces
Solution Approach 1:
The implement frame is segmented into multiple articulated sections with independent wheel assemblies. When encountering a terrace, individual sections can pivot independently, allowing the frame wheels to bear load on stable ground while the articulated connection prevents the row units from being lifted, maintaining consistent seed depth placement.
Solution Approach 2:
An articulated connection acts as an intermediary between the frame wheels and row units. This intermediary mechanism absorbs the vertical motion caused by terrace encounters, allowing the frame wheels to maintain load bearing capacity while preventing the transmission of lifting forces to the row units, thereby preserving seed depth consistency.
3Force
If the implement structure is made rigid to support heavy loads, then load bearing capacity is improved, but the entire weight rests on row units when wheels go down the back of terraces
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid structure is divided into multiple articulated sections that can move independently. When wheels encounter the back of a terrace, the segmented design allows individual sections to pivot, distributing the weight load across multiple points rather than concentrating it entirely on the row units, thus preventing damage while maintaining load bearing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The implement employs dynamic articulated connections that allow sections to adjust their relative positions in response to terrain variations. This dynamic behavior enables the structure to maintain load bearing capacity on stable ground while automatically adjusting to prevent excessive weight concentration on row units when navigating terrace features.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural machine includes a frame member; a toolbar coupled to the frame member parallel to the frame member; a row unit coupled to the toolbar; and an actuator coupled between the frame member and the toolbar, the actuator configured to rotate the toolbar based on a sensed position of the toolbar. Related methods are also disclosed.