Coulter Unit Force-Bandwidth Control for Smooth Running
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling the smooth running of coulter units in sowing machines become complex and prone to faults when incorporating additional sensors like acceleration sensors, and the additional hardware is susceptible to failure under harsh conditions.
Innovation Solution
The method uses the coulter force curve's bandwidth as a controlled variable to regulate smooth running, eliminating the need for additional sensors and employing a control loop with coulter pressure as the manipulated variable, adjusting coulter pressure based on measured coulter force and travel speed limits, and utilizing a cache memory and interference filter for data processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional sensors like acceleration sensors are incorporated to control smooth running, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the smooth running measurement capability from separate acceleration sensors and integrates it into the existing coulter force measurement system. By analyzing the bandwidth of the coulter force signal, the system obtains smooth running information without adding dedicated sensors, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The coulter force sensor serves multiple functions: it measures both the coulter force for seed placement depth control and the smooth running characteristics through bandwidth analysis. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional acceleration sensors, simplifying the control system while improving reliability.
2Measurement precision
If additional sensors like acceleration sensors are incorporated to control smooth running, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to susceptibility to faults under harsh conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts smooth running measurement from separate acceleration sensors that are susceptible to faults, and instead derives this information from the existing coulter force signal. This eliminates additional failure points while maintaining the ability to measure smooth running characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The coulter force measurement system serves itself by providing dual functionality: controlling seed placement depth through force magnitude and monitoring smooth running through signal bandwidth. This self-service approach eliminates dependency on additional sensors that could fail under harsh field conditions.
3Manufacturing precision
If coulter pressure control considers both coulter force and smooth running, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses the coulter force signal for dual purposes: regulating seed placement depth through force magnitude and ensuring smooth running through bandwidth analysis. This integrated approach achieves precise seed placement without requiring separate measurement systems, thus avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the coulter force signal bandwidth and adjusting coulter pressure to maintain smooth running. This feedback mechanism, combined with force-based depth control, achieves high manufacturing precision using a unified control approach rather than multiple independent systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling the smooth running of a coulter unit comprising a seed coulter, a running wheel, which, in order to generate a seed furrow, is pressed onto an agricultural area via the seed coulter with an adjustable coulter pressure onto an agricultural utilizable area and, via the running wheel, is moved at a travel speed over the agricultural utilizable area, wherein a coulter force acting on the coulter unit is measured.