Load Sensor Detection of Bent Disk Blades

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Farmers face challenges in detecting bent disk blades during tillage operations, as the frame and wheels of the implement often obstruct the view, leading to potential damage and reduced tillage quality.

Innovation Solution

An agricultural implement equipped with a disk assembly, load sensors, and a computing system that monitors the loads applied to the fasteners coupling the disk assembly to the frame, allowing for real-time detection of bent disk blades based on load data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the operator visually inspects the disk blades during tillage operations, then the operator can detect bent disk blades, but the frame and wheels block the operator's view making detection difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidvisibility of disk blades

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces load sensors as an intermediary device that indirectly detects disk blade conditions by measuring loads on fasteners. Instead of directly observing the disk blades (which are blocked by the frame and wheels), the system uses load sensors mounted on the frame to measure forces transmitted through the fasteners, providing reliable detection without requiring direct visibility of the blades

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the operator continuously monitors disk blades during operation, then bent blades can be detected early, but this requires constant manual inspection increasing operator workload and time consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetimely detection of bent bladesVSAvoidtime for manual inspection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service detection by automatically monitoring disk blade conditions through load sensors that continuously measure forces on the fasteners. The computing system processes this data to detect bent blades without requiring operator intervention or manual inspection, allowing the implement to monitor its own condition and alert the operator only when issues are detected

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback system where load sensors continuously measure forces on fasteners, the computing system analyzes this data to detect bent disk blades, and the operator receives notifications when issues are identified. This closed-loop feedback mechanism provides timely detection without requiring continuous manual inspection, as the system automatically monitors and reports blade conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If load sensors are installed on fasteners to detect bent disk blades, then detection accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracy of bent bladesVSAvoidnumber of sensors and computing system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The load sensors serve multiple functions: they measure forces on fasteners for detecting bent disk blades, monitor overall disk assembly loading conditions, and provide data for maintaining optimal tillage performance. The computing system processes load data not only for bent blade detection but also for general equipment monitoring and operational optimization, making the added complexity serve multiple purposes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enables immediate detection of bent disk blades, allowing for timely replacement and maintaining the quality of tillage operations, without requiring the operator to visually inspect the blades.

Implementation Method 1

a first load sensor in operative association with the first fastener, with the first load sensor configured to generate data indicative of a first load being applied to the first fastener by the disk assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLoad sensing:

Data Source

PatentUS12201043B2System and method for detecting bent disk blades on an agricultural implement

Publication Date: 2025.01.21 BLUE LEAF I P INC

AI summary

An agricultural implement includes a disk assembly having a hanger and a disk blade. Furthermore, the agricultural implement includes first and second fasteners coupling the hanger to a frame member of the agricultural implement. Additionally, the agricultural implement includes a first load sensor configured to generate data indicative of a first load being applied to the first fastener by the disk assembly. Moreover, the agricultural implement includes a second load sensor configured to generate data indicative of a second load being applied to the second fastener by the disk assembly. In addition, the agricultural implement includes a computing system configured to determine when the disk blade is bent based on the data generated by the first and second load sensors.