Agricultural Implement Leveling via Forward-Looking Sensor Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural implement leveling systems lack the accuracy and effectiveness in maintaining uniform tool contact with the soil, especially for equipment with significant lateral spans, as they struggle to precisely adjust for varying field inclinations in real-time.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize forward-looking sensor data to identify inclined surfaces ahead and proactively adjust the implement's inclination angle by controlling actuators on the work vehicle and implement, maintaining the angle within a predetermined range using a controller and field profile sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional level sensors are used for monitoring implement inclination, then the system can provide basic leveling feedback, but the accuracy and responsiveness in maintaining uniform tool contact with the soil is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary leveling adjustments by anticipating terrain changes before the implement encounters them. The forward-looking sensor detects inclined surfaces ahead, and the controller pre-adjusts the implement inclination angle via actuators, maintaining uniform tool contact with the soil before the problem occurs rather than reacting after deviation happens.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback control by monitoring the implement's inclination angle through level sensors and comparing it against the desired angle. The controller receives real-time feedback from both forward-looking terrain sensors and implement-based level sensors, automatically adjusting actuators to maintain the implement within the predetermined angular inclination range.
2Productivity
If the implement span is increased to improve operational efficiency, then greater coverage and speed are achieved, but maintaining level positioning and uniform tool contact becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The implement is divided into multiple independently controllable sections or gangs, each with its own leveling control. The forward-looking sensor detects terrain changes across the entire lateral span, and the controller independently adjusts each section's inclination angle via separate actuators, maintaining uniform tool contact across the full width while preserving the productivity benefits of large span.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the inclination angle of different parts of the implement based on real-time terrain detection. Rather than rigid fixed positioning, the actuators continuously modify each section's angle in response to detected inclined surfaces, enabling the large-span implement to adapt its configuration dynamically to maintain precision across varying terrain.
3Speed
If reactive leveling control is used, then the system responds to terrain changes after they occur, but the responsiveness and accuracy in maintaining uniform depth is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The forward-looking sensor detects inclined surfaces and terrain changes ahead of the implement's current position. The controller calculates the anticipated terrain change and pre-adjusts the implement's inclination angle via actuators before the implement encounters the terrain variation, maintaining uniform depth precision through proactive rather than reactive control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary counter-actions to offset upcoming terrain variations. By detecting inclined surfaces in advance, the controller pre-applies opposing adjustments to the implement's inclination angle, counteracting the effect of the upcoming terrain change before it affects tool contact uniformity, thereby maintaining precise depth control.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a method for automatically leveling an agricultural implement being towed by a work vehicle includes receiving data associated with a field profile of a forward portion of a field positioned in front of the work vehicle relative to a direction of travel of the work vehicle, and identifying an inclined surface within the forward portion of the field that the work vehicle will encounter as the work vehicle tows the agricultural implement across the field based at least in part on the data. The method also includes determining one or more control actions to maintain an inclination angle of the agricultural implement within a predetermined angular inclination range based at least in part on the identification of the inclined surface, and executing the one or more control actions as at least one of the work vehicle or the agricultural implement travels across the inclined surface.