Agricultural Implement Skew Correction via Drag Force Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural implements face challenges in detecting and correcting skewing, which leads to uneven furrow spacing and offset travel, particularly due to uneven soil conditions and gravitational forces, resulting in increased complexity and cost with existing solutions like steering wheels and coulter discs.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes a skew detecting device to sense implement orientation and adjusts drag forces on ground engaging tools by varying their depth of penetration, allowing for correction without additional costly components like steering wheels or coulter wheels, using existing tools to maintain alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If steering wheels or coulter wheels are added to correct skewing, then skew correction capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ground engaging tools themselves are used to generate the corrective forces needed for skew correction. By varying the depth of penetration of existing tools, the system creates differential drag forces that automatically steer the implement back to alignment, eliminating the need for separate steering mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground engaging tools perform dual functions: their primary function of soil engagement and their secondary function of generating corrective forces for skew correction. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated steering components, reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If steering wheels or coulter wheels are added to correct skewing, then skew correction capability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the implement's existing ground engaging tools to generate corrective forces, eliminating the need to manufacture and install additional steering components. This self-service approach significantly reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining skew correction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive mechanical steering components with a control system that utilizes existing tools, effectively using a cheaper solution (control system + existing tools) instead of expensive hardware additions.
3Reliability
If coulter discs are used to correct skewing, then skew correction capability is improved, but soil disturbance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the drag forces from ground engaging tools already performing their primary function to correct skew, eliminating the need for additional coulter discs that would cause extra soil disturbance. The corrective action is achieved through controlled variation of existing tool penetration depths.
4Device complexity
If ground engaging tools are used to generate corrective forces, then device complexity is reduced, but control precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors to detect implement skew and a control system that processes this information to adjust the depth of penetration of ground engaging tools. This closed-loop feedback control ensures precise skew correction despite the indirect nature of using drag forces from existing tools.
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 simplifies and cost-effectively corrects skewing by altering drag forces on ground engaging tools, ensuring accurate furrow spacing and alignment, reducing operational complexity and soil disturbance in minimum tillage farming.
Implementation Method 1
a skew detecting device operative to sense when the implement is travelling in a skewed orientation
Implementation Method 2
A drag force is exerted on the ground engaging tools by engagement with the ground when performing the desired operation on the field surface
Implementation Method 3
a drag force is exerted on the ground engaging tools by engagement with the ground
Implementation Method 4
The implement includes a plurality of ground engaging tools laterally spaced across a width of the implement and operative to selectively engage the ground to perform a desired operation on a field surface
Data Source
AI summary
A system for correcting skewing in an agricultural implement where the implement includes a plurality of ground engaging tools laterally spaced across a width of the implement and operative to selectively engage the ground to perform a desired operation on a field surface has a skew detecting device operative to sense when the implement is travelling in a skewed orientation and send a correction signal indicating the skewed orientation to a correction mechanism. A drag force is exerted on the ground engaging tools by engagement with the ground when performing the desired operation on the field surface, and the correction mechanism is operative to change the drag forces exerted on at least some ground engaging tools on one side of the implement to correct the skewed orientation.