Implement Steering System Speed-Based Auto-Disable

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional implement steering systems for farm equipment lack automatic speed adaptation, leading to inadequate response during high-speed transport and requiring manual activation/deactivation, which can cause operator distraction and misalignment issues, especially during headland turns and when navigating obstacles.

Innovation Solution

An implement steering system that automatically disables at high travel speeds, self-centers during transport, and provides audio/visual feedback, enabling automatic alignment and reducing operator workload by integrating sensors and hydraulic control for adaptive steering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the implement steering system remains activated during high-speed transport, then the implement can maintain alignment, but the system lacks response time to make timely corrections and may cause operator distraction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment maintenanceVSAvoidtransport speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The steering system dynamically adjusts its operational state based on detected speed conditions. At high transport speeds, the system automatically disables independent steering to prevent instability and operator distraction. When speed decreases to safe operating levels, the system automatically re-enables independent steering, allowing the implement to resume alignment maintenance without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors transport speed and uses this feedback to automatically control the steering system's activation state. This closed-loop control ensures the steering system operates only within safe speed parameters, eliminating the need for manual operator judgment and reducing distraction while maintaining reliability when conditions are appropriate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the implement steering system is manually deactivated at high speeds, then safety is improved, but operator distraction and misalignment issues occur during headland turns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafe operationVSAvoidoperator workload

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The steering system performs self-service by automatically monitoring speed conditions and controlling its own activation state. The system eliminates the need for operator intervention in speed-based activation decisions, thereby reducing operator workload and distraction while ensuring safe operation through automated speed-based control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual operator control with automated electronic control based on speed sensor feedback. This substitution eliminates the need for the operator to manually activate or deactivate the steering system, reducing distraction while maintaining safety through automated decision-making based on real-time speed data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If the implement steering system is activated during transport, then alignment can be maintained, but the system does not have adequate response time for timely corrections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverow spacing consistencyVSAvoidtransport speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The steering system dynamically adapts its operational status to transport speed conditions. By disabling independent steering at high transport speeds, the system prevents the inadequate response time problem. When transport speed decreases to safe operating levels, the system automatically re-enables independent steering, allowing the implement to maintain precise row spacing consistency without the response time limitations that exist at high speeds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If the implement steering system requires manual activation and deactivation, then system control is maintained, but operator distraction and misalignment issues occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual controlVSAvoidalignment maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses speed sensor feedback to automatically control steering activation, eliminating the need for manual operator judgment. This automated feedback-based control maintains reliability by ensuring the steering system is activated only when speed conditions are appropriate, while also improving ease of operation by removing the burden of manual activation and deactivation decisions from the operator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The steering system serves itself by automatically monitoring speed conditions and controlling its own activation state based on pre-programmed speed thresholds. This self-service capability eliminates operator distraction associated with manual activation decisions while maintaining reliable alignment through automated speed-based control logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8914198B2Method for controlling an implement steering system for farm implement in transport

Publication Date: 2014.12.16 CNH IND CANADA

AI summary

A method for disabling the implement steering system of a towed implement includes monitoring the position of the implement while in transport and if the implement is outside a correctable position, automatically disabling the implement steering system. The method further includes monitoring the speed of the implement with the implement steering system disabled and if the speed remains below a threshold for a predefined period then enabling manual control of the implement steering system.