Disc Blade Angle Control for Soil Compaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural disc blades at increased angles for tillage lead to soil compaction, delaying crop emergence and reducing yield due to increased load on the soil, which existing systems fail to effectively manage.
Innovation Solution
A disc blade angle control system with a controller and actuator that adjusts the angle of disc blades based on side load measurements, using sensors to monitor forces and maintain a target side load range to balance tillage effectiveness and soil compaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the angle of disc blades is increased to enhance tillage degree, then tillage effectiveness is improved, but soil compaction increases due to increased load on the back side of disc blades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the disc blade angle adjustable during operation. The gang support is rotatably coupled to the frame, allowing the disc blade angle to be dynamically changed from a fixed position. This enables the system to adapt the blade angle based on operating conditions, thereby enhancing tillage effectiveness while controlling soil compaction by reducing the angle when compaction becomes excessive.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the disc blade angle as a controllable parameter. The system changes the angular parameter of the disc blades relative to the direction of travel, allowing optimization of tillage depth and intensity while managing the load on the back side of the blades to prevent soil compaction.
2Strength
If the angle of disc blades is increased to break up soil more effectively, then soil breaking capability is improved, but load on the back side of disc blades increases causing compaction
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic adjustment of the gang support rotation to change disc blade angles during operation. This allows the blades to maintain optimal angles for soil breaking while preventing excessive load on the back side that would cause compaction, by reducing the angle when load becomes too high.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control where the system monitors the load on the back side of the disc blades and adjusts the gang support rotation accordingly. When excessive load is detected, the system reduces the blade angle to prevent compaction, creating a closed-loop control system that balances soil breaking capability with compaction prevention.
3Productivity
If disc blades operate at large angles for enhanced tillage, then tillage depth is improved, but crop emergence is delayed due to soil compaction
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts disc blade angles during operation to optimize tillage depth while preventing soil compaction. By reducing the blade angle when compaction becomes excessive, the system maintains adequate tillage depth without creating compacted layers that would delay crop emergence, thus reducing time loss.
4Productivity
If disc blades are positioned at high angles to increase tillage intensity, then tillage intensity is improved, but soil compaction increases reducing crop yield
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameter of disc blade angle to optimize tillage intensity. By dynamically adjusting the angle, the system maintains high tillage intensity for effective soil preparation while preventing excessive load on the back side of blades that would cause compaction and reduce crop yield.
Data Source
AI summary
A disc blade angle control system for an agricultural implement includes a controller having a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of a side load applied to a disc blade of the agricultural implement. The disc blade is configured to engage soil, and the side load corresponds to a force applied to the disc blade along an axis parallel to a rotational axis of the disc blade. The controller is also configured to control an actuator to adjust an angle of the disc blade based on the side load.