Agricultural Implement Weight Transfer System for Soil Compaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural implements face challenges in efficiently transferring weight to reduce soil compaction and ensure adequate down force on row units, particularly in varying soil conditions and product quantities.
Innovation Solution
A weight transfer system that includes a control system programmed to compare applied and reaction forces at gauge wheels, and a hydraulic system to adjust weight distribution between the main frame section and wing sections, allowing for real-time adjustments based on product consumption and soil conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If weight is transferred from the main frame section to the wing sections, then soil compaction is reduced, but down force on row units may become insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic weight transfer system that automatically adjusts weight distribution between the main frame section and wing sections based on real-time operating conditions. Load cells monitor the actual weight on each section, and the control system dynamically modifies hydraulic cylinder positions to transfer weight, ensuring optimal balance between reducing soil compaction and maintaining sufficient down force on row units.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates load cells that continuously measure the weight on the main frame section and wing sections, providing feedback to the control system. This feedback loop enables the control system to make real-time adjustments to the weight transfer mechanism, comparing actual weight distribution with desired distribution and automatically correcting imbalances to maintain both reduced soil compaction and adequate down force.
2Reliability
If down force on row units is increased to ensure adequate contact in hard soils, then planting quality improves, but soil compaction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts weight distribution based on actual soil conditions and row unit performance. When operating in hard soils, the control system can selectively transfer weight to specific wing sections to provide additional down force where needed, while maintaining reduced weight on sections causing excessive compaction, thus improving planting quality without uniformly increasing soil compaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables independent weight adjustment for different wing sections through separate hydraulic control systems. This allows the operator or control system to apply localized down force to specific row units or wing sections where soil conditions require it, rather than uniformly increasing weight across the entire implement, thereby targeting planting quality improvements without exacerbating compaction in already vulnerable areas.
3Force
If additional weights are added to the implement to increase down force, then row unit contact improves, but overall weight and fuel consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding static additional weights, the system uses a dynamic weight transfer mechanism that redistributes the existing weight of the implement and its load. Hydraulic cylinders powered by the tractor's hydraulic system can shift weight between the main frame section and wing sections as needed, providing variable down force without increasing the overall implement weight or fuel consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The weight transfer system utilizes the implement's own weight and the tractor's hydraulic power to generate the required down force. Rather than requiring external weights or additional power sources, the system self-regulates by transferring weight internally between sections, using the implement's mass and the tractor's hydraulic capacity to provide the necessary force for adequate row unit contact.
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
The system effectively reduces soil compaction by balancing load distribution across wheel assemblies and ensures sufficient down force on row units, even in hard soils, without the need for additional weights.
Implementation Method 1
a weight transfer system to transfer weight from one frame section to another
Data Source
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AI summary
An implement (10) is disclosed. The implement comprising: a frame (12) having a main section (20) and a wing section (22, 24) pivotally coupled to the main section (20); a main wheel assembly (30) coupled to the frame main section (20) to support the frame main section (20) for movement over a ground surface; a wing wheel assembly (32) coupled to the frame wing section (22, 24) to support the frame wing section (22, 24) for movement over the ground surface; a row unit (26) mounted to the frame wing section (22, 24) to dispense a product to the ground surface; a weight transfer system coupled to the frame main and wing sections (20, 22, 24) and adapted to transfer weight from the frame main section (20) to the frame wing section (22, 24) to reduce the load carried by the main wheel assembly (30); a row unit downforce system coupled to the frame wing section (22, 24) and adapted to apply a force on the row unit (26) relative to the frame wing section (22, 24); a pressure transducer (152) configured to measure the force applied by the row unit downforce system and generate a signal indicative of the applied force; and a control system (200) adapted to operate the weight transfer system in response to the signal from the pressure transducer (152) to assist the row unit downforce system, the control system (200) programmed to actuate the weight transfer system to apply an additional force on the frame wing section (22, 24) in response to the signal. Furthermore, a method of operating an implement (10) is disclosed.