Agricultural Distributor Boom Control via Pre-Set Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural commercial vehicles face challenges in maintaining a consistent distribution of fertilizers, plant protection products, or seeds due to uneven terrain, which can lead to uncontrolled movements and damage to the distributor rack.

Innovation Solution

A control device for agricultural commercial vehicles that includes pressure control valves and blocking valves, allowing for precise control of the distributor's inclination and preventing uncontrolled movements by using initial target pressure values stored in a data storage system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If shut-off valves are closed to rigidly connect the spreader boom to the vehicle, then structural stability is improved, but uncontrolled damaging movements occur when the valves are opened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidrisk of uncontrolled movements
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit pre-adjusts the pressure control valve to an initial target pressure value before the shut-off valve is opened. This preliminary action ensures that the actuator is already at the correct pressure level, preventing uncontrolled movements when the shut-off valve transitions from closed to open state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the control unit to monitor and adjust the pressure control valve based on the folding state of the distributor linkage. The control unit receives information about the linkage position and automatically adjusts the pressure to maintain stable operation during transitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If pressure control valves are adjusted to real-time pressure values, then precise inclination control is achieved, but control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinclination control precisionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuously adjusting to real-time pressure values, the system pre-adjusts the pressure control valve to stored initial target pressure values corresponding to different folding states. This eliminates the need for complex real-time pressure measurement and adjustment algorithms while maintaining precise control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the control parameter from continuous real-time pressure adjustment to discrete initial target pressure values based on folding states. This simplifies the control logic by using predefined pressure levels for different operational configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If the spreader boom is rigidly connected during road transport, then structural stability is improved, but uncontrolled damaging movements occur when folding operations are performed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidfolding operation safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Before the shut-off valve is opened to enable folding operations, the control unit pre-adjusts the pressure control valve to the appropriate initial target pressure value for the intended folding state. This ensures a controlled transition and prevents damaging movements during the folding operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit monitors the folding state of the distributor linkage and automatically adjusts the pressure control valve based on feedback about the current configuration, ensuring safe and controlled folding operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

The solution ensures precise and stable inclination control of the distributor, preventing damage and ensuring homogeneous material distribution across varying terrain conditions.

Implementation Method 1

pressure control valves, which are hydraulic and/or pneumatic valves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

pressure control valves, which are hydraulic and/or pneumatic valves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Gas Compressor

Implementation Method 3

each pressure control valve is assigned a locking valve to secure the distributor boom

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid containment: Valve

Implementation Method 4

The actuator, which is expediently designed as a pneumatic and/or hydraulic actuator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic actuation: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 5

The actuator, which is expediently designed as a pneumatic and/or hydraulic actuator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic actuation: Gas Compressor

Data Source

PatentEP3516958B1Control device for an agricultural commercial vehicle and method for operating the commercial vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.05.14 AMAZONEN WERKE H DREYER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3516958B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3516958B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2d
  • EP3516958B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3d

AI summary

A control device (1) for an agricultural vehicle with a double-folding distributor boom (10) for spreading fertilizer or the like, as well as a corresponding method, are described. Accordingly, a control unit (2) and pressure control valves (18) connected to it for controlling the tilt of the distributor boom (10) are provided. According to the invention, each pressure control valve (18) is associated with a locking valve (23) for locking the distributor boom (10) on one side, and the control unit (2) is associated with a data storage device (3) in which initial target pressure values ​​(5a-5g, 6a-6g) of the pressure control valves (18) and/or electrical control signals (7a-7g, 8a-8g) associated with the initial target pressure values ​​(5a-5g, 6a-6g) of the distributor boom (10) are stored. This allows the control to continue immediately with suitable pressure values ​​when the distributor linkage (10) is unlocked.