Ground Engagement Tool Control for Wheel Slip in Soft Soil

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural systems face issues with wheel slip on soft soil, leading to soil compaction, ruts, and potential vehicle stuck situations due to increased frictional forces, reducing operational efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A control system monitors operating parameters to detect potential slip and adjusts the position of ground engagement tools relative to the field to reduce engagement and prevent slip, using hydraulic circuits and sensors to manage tool positioning independently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If ground engagement tools maintain deep engagement with the field to perform farming operations, then productivity is improved, but wheel slip increases on soft soil causing soil compaction and vehicle immobilization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefarming operation efficiencyVSAvoidsoil compaction and wheel slip

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the engagement depth of ground engagement tools based on real-time slip detection. When slip is detected, the control system automatically reduces engagement depth, and when slip ceases, engagement depth is restored. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing deep engagement for productivity while preventing soil compaction through automatic reduction when slip occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses sensors to continuously monitor wheel slip parameters and feeds this information back to the control system. The control system processes this feedback and adjusts ground engagement tool depth accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to maintain productivity while preventing harmful soil compaction by responding to actual slip conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If ground engagement tools are positioned to maximize soil engagement for tilling, then manufacturing precision of field preparation is improved, but frictional forces increase causing wheel slip and ruts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield preparation qualityVSAvoidfrictional forces on wheels

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically modifies ground engagement depth based on detected slip conditions. When high frictional forces causing slip are detected, the system automatically reduces engagement depth, thereby reducing frictional forces on wheels while maintaining field preparation quality when conditions allow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system takes preliminary action by detecting slip parameters before severe soil compaction and wheel immobilization occur. By proactively reducing ground engagement depth when slip is detected, the system prevents the development of harmful frictional forces that would otherwise cause ruts and vehicle stuck situations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Productivity

If the agricultural implement operates continuously without adjustment, then productivity is maintained, but slip events cause soil compaction and potential vehicle stuck situations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational continuityVSAvoidvehicle mobility and soil health

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains operational continuity through automatic feedback-controlled adjustments. When slip is detected, the system temporarily reduces ground engagement depth to prevent soil compaction and vehicle immobilization, then restores normal operation when slip ceases. This feedback mechanism ensures both productivity and reliability by preventing harmful conditions while maintaining operational flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides beforehand cushioning by detecting slip parameters and preemptively reducing ground engagement depth before severe soil compaction and vehicle stuck situations develop. This protective action cushions against potential failures in vehicle mobility and soil health while maintaining overall operational continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS12532794B2System and method for controlling an agricultural system based on slip

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 CNH IND CANADA

AI summary

An agricultural system includes an agricultural implement having a plurality of ground engagement tools. Each of the plurality of ground engagement tools is configured to engage a field and is associated with a respective location on the agricultural implement. The agricultural system also includes a control system with a memory storing instructions and a processor configured to execute the instructions to determine a parameter value associated with slip is outside of a range of values, determine a location on the agricultural implement associated with the parameter value that is outside of the range of values, and output a signal based on the location associated with the parameter value that is outside of the range of values.