Agricultural Implement Ground Engaging Tool Reset Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural implement ground engaging tools experience reduced performance due to soil, residue, and debris accumulation, as well as deflection, leading to inefficient tillage operations and the need for time-consuming manual inspection and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A control system that automatically adjusts the speed and position of ground engaging tools to reset them from a deflected state and remove accumulation by raising them above the soil surface, using sensors to detect performance thresholds and actuators to facilitate agitation and repositioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual inspection and maintenance of ground engaging tools is performed, then tool performance can be maintained, but operation time is consumed and productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables ground engaging tools to self-reset by automatically detecting when a tool is deflected and executing a reset sequence that raises the tool, agitates it to remove soil/residue/debris accumulation, and returns it to the working state. This eliminates the need for manual inspection and maintenance operations, allowing the tools to maintain themselves during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors ground engaging tool performance and position through sensors. When a tool is detected to be in a deflected state or has accumulated soil/residue/debris, the system automatically initiates a reset sequence. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures tools are maintained without operator intervention, resolving the contradiction between maintaining tool performance and preserving operation time.
2Productivity
If ground engaging tools operate continuously without resetting, then productivity is maintained, but tool performance deteriorates due to accumulation and deflection
Solution Approach 1:
The reset system is integrated into the continuous operation of the tillage implement. Tools are automatically reset during operation without stopping the tillage process, allowing continuous useful action to be maintained. The control system monitors tool status and executes reset sequences in real-time, ensuring tools return to optimal performance state without interrupting overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs periodic reset cycles automatically based on detected tool conditions. When a tool is detected to be deflected or accumulated, the control system executes a reset sequence that raises, agitates, and repositions the tool. This periodic automated maintenance action maintains tool performance throughout continuous operation without requiring manual intervention.
3Reliability
If ground engaging tools are raised and agitated to remove accumulation, then tool performance is restored, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the reset process based on actual tool conditions detected by sensors. Rather than continuous operation, the control system activates the raise and agitation functions only when a tool is detected to be deflected or has accumulated soil/residue/debris. This dynamic, condition-based approach minimizes energy consumption while effectively restoring tool performance when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system changes operational parameters (speed, position, agitation intensity) based on detected tool conditions. When resetting a tool, the system adjusts these parameters to achieve effective cleaning and repositioning with minimal energy input. The system optimizes the reset sequence by varying parameters such as raise height, agitation duration, and speed adjustments to restore tool performance efficiently.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for an agricultural implement includes a controller configured to perform the following steps in response to determining that performance of a ground engaging tool is below a threshold performance. The controller is configured to adjust a speed of the agricultural implement to an adjusted speed. The controller is configured to raise the ground engaging tool to a target raised position in response to the speed of the agricultural implement being substantially equal to a first threshold speed. The controller is configured to adjust the speed of the agricultural implement to an initial speed in response to a position of the ground engaging tool being substantially equal to the target raised position. The controller is configured to lower the ground engaging tool to a target depth in response to the speed of the agricultural implement being substantially equal to a second threshold speed.