Agricultural Implement Actuator Control for Transport Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural machinery, particularly ploughs, experience instability and increased wear during transport due to significant weight and forces from changes in speed and direction, leading to potential damage and reduced service life.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling agricultural machinery during transport involves determining changes in speed and direction using travel-data from sensors and memory devices, and automatically activating actuators such as hydraulic actuators to adjust the position of ground-engaging tools, thereby damping the movement and reducing the impact of inertia and momentum.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the plough implement is lifted above the road surface during transport, then the ground engaging tools are cleared from the road surface, but the significant weight of the plough implement rests entirely on the agricultural vehicle creating amplified forces and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The plough implement is made dynamically adjustable between a transport position (lifted above road surface) and a working position (ground engaging tools on road surface). The system automatically transitions between these positions based on operational mode, allowing the implement to adapt its configuration for different phases of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system detects changes in speed and direction before they cause harmful effects. When deceleration or directional changes are detected, the system proactively adjusts the plough implement's position to counteract the impending instability and amplified forces, preventing damage before it occurs.
2Ease of operation
If the plough implement is lifted above the road surface during transport, then ground engaging tools are cleared from the road surface, but forces created due to changes in speed and direction are substantially amplified
Solution Approach 1:
The control system detects changes in speed and direction before they cause harmful effects. When deceleration or directional changes are detected, the system proactively adjusts the plough implement's position to counteract the impending instability and amplified forces, preventing damage before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the actual position of the plough implement and compares it with the expected position based on vehicle dynamics. When deviations are detected indicating excessive forces or instability, the control system automatically adjusts the implement position to restore balance and reduce harmful forces.
3Reliability
If automatic control of actuators is implemented to dampen movement, then stability and reduced wear are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically monitors and adjusts the plough implement's position based on detected vehicle dynamics without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates by detecting speed and direction changes, determining appropriate actuator operations, and executing position adjustments to maintain stability throughout transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the actual position of the plough implement and compares it with the expected position based on vehicle dynamics. When deviations are detected indicating excessive forces or instability, the control system automatically adjusts the implement position to restore balance and reduce harmful forces.
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 approach stabilizes the agricultural machinery, reduces wear on components, and enhances the comfort and longevity of the equipment by minimizing the effects of speed and direction changes during transport.
Implementation Method 1
damping the movement and reducing the impact of inertia and momentum
Implementation Method 2
damping the movement and reducing the impact of inertia and momentum
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling an agricultural implement (10) during transport, the agricultural implement (10) comprising a plurality of implement tools ( 22a, 22b, 24a, 24b, 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b, 30a, 30b) and at least one actuator (82, 84, 86, 88) for moving one or more of the plurality of implement tools, wherein the method comprises: determining a present or future change in the agricultural implement's speed and/or direction of motion; and automatically activating an operation of the at least one actuator ( 82, 84, 86, 88 ) , if a present or future change in the agricultural implement's speed and/or direction is determined.