Disc Harrow Gang Plugging Detection via Rotation Sensors

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Disc harrow implements face plugging issues due to residue getting stuck between disc scraper and blades, leading to reduced efficiency and potential soil compaction, which affects planting conditions and requires operators to take quick action to prevent residue buildup.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a plugging detection system with gang rotation sensors that measure and compare the rotational speed of disc gangs, alerting operators when one gang is rotating slower than others, indicating potential plugging, and using spacer spools to maintain blade spacing and prevent damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If disc harrow operates continuously to reduce passes, then productivity increases, but plugging occurs reducing reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of passesVSAvoidplugging detection

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism by installing rotation sensors on each disc gang that continuously monitor rotational speed and provide real-time feedback to the control system. When a gang's rotation speed deviates from the expected range indicating plugging, the system generates an alert to the operator, enabling timely intervention while maintaining continuous operation to maximize productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If operator monitors plugging manually, then reliability is maintained, but time loss increases reducing productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplugging preventionVSAvoidoperator intervention time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service monitoring by automatically detecting plugging conditions through rotation sensors and generating alerts without requiring continuous operator attention. The control system autonomously compares rotation speeds across gangs and identifies plugging issues, freeing the operator to focus on other tasks while maintaining reliable operation detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If disc gang rotates slower due to plugging, then residue buildup increases causing harm, but early detection enables timely action

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresidue buildupVSAvoidplugging detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual inspection with electronic rotation sensors that precisely measure the rotational speed of each disc gang. The control system processes these measurements to detect subtle variations indicating plugging, providing accurate and objective detection that is more reliable than human observation and enables earlier intervention before significant residue buildup occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10765052B2Disc harrow with gang plugging detection

Publication Date: 2020.09.08 AGCO CORP

AI summary

A disc harrow implement has gang assemblies each having aligned disc gangs carried by a support bar. Each disc gang has disc blades spaced along an axis of the disc gang. The disc gangs of each gang assembly are coaxially aligned to create a line of substantially equally spaced disc blades. A plugging detection system alerts an operator if one or more of the disc gangs are rotating at a rotational speed that is slower than rotational speeds of the remaining disc gangs. The plugging detection system includes a gang rotation sensor for each of disc gangs. Each gang rotation sensor is configured to measure the rotational speed of the connected disc gang. A control module compares the rotational speed of each disc gang to the rotational speed of the disc gangs and generates an output that indicates when a disc gang is rotating more slowly that the other disc gangs.