Agricultural Implement Nodes for High-Bandwidth Control and Setup

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing complexity of agricultural implements with electronic components leads to challenges in wiring, setup, diagnosis, and communication requirements, necessitating improved methods for high-speed, high-bandwidth data transmission and intelligent control.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising intelligent implement nodes, routers, and positioning members for agricultural implements, utilizing Ethernet connections and intelligent control units to facilitate high-speed, high-bandwidth data transmission and intelligent control of components such as seed meters, sensors, and actuators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If agricultural implements are equipped with more electronic components and intelligent controls, then control functionality and data acquisition capabilities are improved, but device complexity and wiring requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoidwiring requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical wiring systems with wireless communication technologies. Electronic components communicate data and control signals wirelessly, eliminating the need for extensive physical wiring harnesses while maintaining full control functionality across all agricultural implement components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal wireless communication protocol that enables a single communication infrastructure to support multiple functions including data acquisition, control signaling, diagnostic information exchange, and component identification across diverse electronic components throughout the agricultural implement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Speed

If high-speed, high-bandwidth communication is implemented across all components, then data transmission capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoidcommunication infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication infrastructure into hierarchical levels: high-speed wireless communication for critical real-time control and sensor data, and lower-bandwidth communication for routine status reporting and diagnostic information. This segmentation enables high data transmission speed where needed while reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If component location and functionality are made variable to improve adaptability, then versatility is improved, but setup difficulty and diagnosis complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent configurabilityVSAvoidsetup difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service through automated component identification and configuration. Each electronic component transmits its identification data and capabilities wirelessly, and the system automatically determines optimal placement and functionality based on real-time system state, eliminating manual setup requirements and simplifying operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-programming electronic components with identification data and capability information before installation. When components are installed in variable locations, the system automatically retrieves this pre-stored information and configures the component appropriately, eliminating setup difficulty despite increased versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If electronic components are made interchangeable and relocatable, then adaptability is improved, but wiring and connection requirements become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent relocatabilityVSAvoidconnection requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical wiring connections with wireless communication interfaces. Electronic components can be relocated to different positions on the agricultural implement without requiring changes to physical wiring harnesses, as all communication occurs through wireless signals, dramatically simplifying connection requirements while maintaining full adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12550809B2Control units, nodes, system, and method for transmitting and communicating data

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 KINZE MFG INC

AI summary

Agricultural electronics include many components. The components can be connected via an electronic link that connects the various components to components of an agricultural implement. This can include the use of a component type identifier and a master module. The identifier and the module can communicate data, including identification data and instructional data, to easily acknowledge and operate various electrical components of the agricultural implement. Additional sensors can be included to provide even additional data that is communicated between the module and the components of the agricultural implement to aid in providing instructions for operation and to provide additional data information.