Agricultural Distributor Linkage Vibration Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural machines with large working widths face vibration issues due to acceleration, leading to uneven material distribution and mechanical wear, which existing passive and active damping systems struggle to effectively address, especially when natural frequencies are excited, causing resonance and increased vibration amplitudes.

Innovation Solution

A regulation and control system for the distributor linkage that includes a sensor device for measuring vibrations and a data processing unit with filters to detect and counteract specific natural frequencies, allowing for targeted damping and prevention of resonance, using hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders to adjust the distributor linkage and maintain optimal position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the distributor linkage is designed with a large working width to increase material distribution efficiency, then productivity is improved, but the distributor linkage becomes more susceptible to vibration and deflection under acceleration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial distribution efficiencyVSAvoiddistributor linkage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The control system predicts future vibrations of the distributor linkage based on measured actual values and predetermined model data, and activates counter-vibrations in advance using the hydraulic cylinder. This preliminary action prevents the vibrations from occurring, maintaining distributor linkage stability while preserving the large working width design for high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a predetermined model that copies the expected vibration behavior of the distributor linkage under various conditions. By comparing actual measurements with this model copy, the system can identify deviations and generate appropriate counter-vibrations, resolving the contradiction between large working width and vibration stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Device complexity

If passive damping systems are used to reduce vibration amplitudes, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to actively counteract vibrations and achieve target values is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamping system complexityVSAvoidvibration control effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control system continuously measures actual vibration values of the distributor linkage, compares them with target values, and adjusts the counter-vibrations from the hydraulic cylinder accordingly. This closed-loop feedback ensures reliable vibration control while maintaining relatively simple system architecture by using electronic control rather than complex mechanical passive damping structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If active control systems are used to reduce vibration amplitudes below target values, then vibration control effectiveness is improved, but the system response time and dynamic control requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration control effectivenessVSAvoidsystem response time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

By predicting future vibrations before they occur and activating counter-vibrations in advance, the system eliminates the need for rapid real-time response. This approach maintains high vibration control effectiveness while reducing the dynamic control speed requirements, as the counter-actions are pre-timed rather than reactively generated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This system efficiently reduces and eliminates vibrations by filtering measurement signals to regulate natural frequencies, preventing resonance and ensuring uniform material distribution, thereby reducing mechanical wear and maintaining precision in material application.

Implementation Method 1

the acceleration of the distributor linkage 11 is measured by the sensor and used as a measurement signal for the actual value of the distributor linkage 11

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcceleration measurement: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

at least one filter (12) for filtering with respect to at least one natural frequency of the distributor linkage 11

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFrequency filtering: Filter (electronic)

Implementation Method 3

The actuating signal is used to control a hydraulic cylinder (10), which reacts with no delay or with a minimal time delay

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic actuation: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP3257374B1Regulation and/or control system, agricultural machine and a method for controlling and/or regulating an agricultural machine
Publication Date: 2020.04.08 AMAZONEN WERKE H DREYER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3257374B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3257374B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a control and/or regulation system for an agricultural machine with a distribution boom (11) for applying material such as fertilizer, pesticides, or seeds, and with at least one sensor device for determining the vibration of the distribution boom (11) and a data processing device for processing measurement signals, which is characterized by at least one filter for filtering with respect to at least one natural frequency of the distribution boom (11). Furthermore, the invention relates to an agricultural machine and a method for controlling and/or regulating an agricultural machine.Furthermore, the invention relates to a control and/or regulation system for an agricultural machine, wherein, for a time-discrete state control of the distributor linkage (11) as a model system, at least one state variable, in particular the speed and/or the deflection of the distributor linkage (11), can be determined by an observer and subsequently estimated.