Agricultural Implement Weight Adjustment via Wheel Slip Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern agricultural machinery, particularly ploughs, face challenges with excessive wheel slip due to increasing size and weight, leading to reduced tillage efficiency and potential vehicle immobilization in the field.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and control unit for agricultural machinery that receives wheel-slip data and determines actuator-control signals to adjust the position and operation of ground engaging tools, such as changing working depth, width, and angle, to maintain optimal wheel slip levels, thereby improving traction and preventing vehicle immobilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the agricultural implement is made larger and heavier to increase tillage efficiency, then the tillage capacity and productivity are improved, but the wheel slip of the towing vehicle increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetillage efficiencyVSAvoidvehicle immobilization risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the implement weight adjustable rather than fixed. The system dynamically adapts the implement weight based on real-time wheel slip detection, allowing the implement to transition between different weight states to optimize both productivity and prevent vehicle immobilization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback control system where wheel slip is continuously monitored and used to adjust implement weight. The control unit receives wheel slip data and automatically adjusts the implement weight to maintain optimal traction, creating a closed-loop system that prevents excessive wheel slip while maintaining high tillage efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the agricultural implement is made larger and heavier to increase tillage efficiency, then the tillage capacity is improved, but the fuel consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetillage efficiencyVSAvoidfuel economy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts implement weight based on actual tillage conditions and wheel slip detection, allowing the implement to operate at optimal weight rather than constantly carrying maximum weight. This reduces unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining high tillage efficiency when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the weight parameter of the implement dynamically based on operating conditions. By adjusting the implement weight parameter in response to wheel slip and tillage requirements, the system optimizes the balance between tillage efficiency and fuel economy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3850931B1Method for controlling an agricultural machinery
Publication Date: 2023.10.11 CNH IND SWEDEN AB
  • EP3850931B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3850931B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3850931B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method for adjusting a working depth of an agricultural machinery (300), the agricultural machinery (300) comprising an agricultural work vehicle (307) comprising at least one driven wheel (318); a plough implement comprising a plurality of ground engaging tools (322a, 324a, 326a, 328a, 330a); an actuator mechanism for moving the at least one ground engaging tool with respect to the agricultural work vehicle (307); and a control unit configured to receive wheel-slip-data indicative of an amount of wheel slip for the driven wheel (318) of the work vehicle; and determine an actuator-control-signal for moving the at least one ground engaging tool (322a, 324a, 326a, 328a, 330a) with respect to the work vehicle (307) on the basis of the wheel-slip-data.