Agricultural Disk Load Sensing for Plugging and Impact Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Farmers face difficulties in detecting material accumulation and obstacle impacts on ground engaging tools of agricultural implements, such as disks, which can lead to impaired tillage operations and component wear.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural system with load sensors and a computing system to monitor operating conditions of disks, determining conditions like plugging or obstacle impacts, and initiating automatic adjustments to mitigate these issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ground engaging tools are used for tillage operations, then soil cultivation performance is improved, but material accumulation and obstacle impacts cause operational impairment and component wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism using load sensors mounted on support members to continuously monitor forces applied by ground engaging tools. The system provides real-time feedback about material accumulation and obstacle impacts to the operator, enabling timely corrective actions before operational impairment occurs. This feedback loop maintains reliability while preserving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces load sensors as intermediary devices between the ground engaging tools and the monitoring system. These sensors act as mediators that convert mechanical forces from tool operation into measurable electrical signals, enabling indirect observation of operational conditions without interfering with the tillage process itself.
2Measurement precision
If operator monitors ground engaging tools manually, then operational conditions can be detected, but detection difficulty and response time are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and mechanical monitoring with electronic load sensing and digital data processing. Load sensors continuously measure forces on support members, and a computing system automatically analyzes the data to detect material accumulation and obstacle impacts. This substitution provides precise measurements and immediate detection without operator intervention delays.
3Loss of information
If load sensors are installed on support members, then operating condition monitoring is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the load sensor system to serve multiple functions: monitoring material accumulation, detecting obstacle impacts, and providing overall operational status information. The computing system processes load data to identify various operating conditions using the same sensor infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity despite the added monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-monitoring of operating conditions through automated data collection and analysis. The computing system automatically processes load sensor data, identifies operational issues, and provides information to the operator without requiring additional manual inspection equipment or procedures. This self-service approach minimizes the complexity burden of the monitoring system.
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
Automated monitoring and adjustments improve tillage efficiency by preventing impaired conditions and reducing operator intervention, thus saving time and maintaining implement performance.
Implementation Method 1
a load sensor supported by one of the first mounting portion or the second mounting portion of the support mount, with the load sensor being configured to generate data indicative of a load on the support member
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural system for monitoring operating conditions associated with disks of an agricultural implement may include a support mount supported relative to a frame member, with the support mount having a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion at least partially spaced apart from each other. Further, the system may include a support member supported relative to the frame member by the support mount, with the support member being positioned between the first and second mounting portions. Moreover, the system may include a shaft supported relative to the frame member by the support member and a ground engaging disk supported on the shaft. Additionally, the system may include a load sensor supported by one of the first mounting portion or the second mounting portion, with the load sensor being configured to generate data indicative of a load on the support member.