Agricultural Implement Control for Engine Load Management

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Modern agricultural machinery, such as ploughs, face challenges with increased load and engine stalling due to higher tillage efficiency demands, requiring more powerful towing vehicles and skilled operators to manage soil conditions effectively.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method for controlling agricultural machinery that adjusts the operation of ground engaging tools based on engine operating parameters, transferring them into an engine recovery state to reduce work vehicle load by modifying bias force, working depth, plough width, and angle, and temporarily increasing wheel torque to prevent engine stalling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If larger and heavier tillage implements are used to increase tillage efficiency, then productivity is improved, but the work vehicle load increases requiring more powerful towing vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetillage efficiencyVSAvoidwork vehicle load
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the tillage implement's working depth adjustable rather than fixed. The system dynamically changes the working depth based on real-time engine load conditions, allowing the implement to adapt its engagement level to match the work vehicle's available power, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining high productivity and avoiding excessive load

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of working depth dynamically based on engine operating conditions. By monitoring engine load and adjusting the working depth accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between tillage effectiveness and vehicle load, enabling conventional vehicles to handle larger implements without stalling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If larger and heavier tillage implements are used to increase tillage efficiency, then productivity is improved, but engine stalling occurs during tillage operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetillage efficiencyVSAvoidengine stalling
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring engine operating parameters (load, speed, torque) and using this information to automatically adjust the implement's working depth. This closed-loop control ensures the engine operates within its safe operating range while maintaining high tillage efficiency, preventing stalling without sacrificing productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the working depth based on real-time engine conditions, allowing the implement to engage more deeply when the engine has sufficient power and reduce engagement when load increases, thereby maintaining both high productivity and engine reliability throughout the tillage operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Weight of moving object

If more powerful towing vehicles are used to handle larger implements, then the work vehicle load capacity is improved, but the cost and complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework vehicle load capacityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the tillage implement to automatically adjust its own working depth based on engine load conditions without requiring manual intervention or a more powerful vehicle. The implement monitors engine parameters and self-regulates its engagement level, effectively managing the load capacity of conventional vehicles while maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system makes the working depth dynamically adjustable rather than fixed, allowing the implement to adapt to varying load conditions. This dynamic capability enables conventional work vehicles to handle larger implements by automatically reducing engagement depth when engine load approaches limits, avoiding the need for more powerful towing vehicles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3837941B1Method for controlling an agricultural system
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 OVERUM IND AB
  • EP3837941B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3837941B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3837941B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for controlling agricultural machinery, wherein the agricultural machinery comprises an agricultural work vehicle with an engine for moving the agricultural work vehicle across a field, and an agricultural implement connectable to the agricultural work vehicle and comprising at least one ground engaging tool, wherein the method comprises receiving an engine operating parameter representative of an engine output of the engine; comparing the engine operating parameter to a predetermined first threshold; and determining an implement-control-signal, based on a result of the comparing step, for transferring the at least one ground engaging tool into an engine recovery state for reducing a work vehicle load.