Agricultural Mowing Unit Control for Surface Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural machinery solutions fail to maintain optimal surface pressure on uneven terrain and during side-shifting, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage to pastures, especially in moist organic soils, and do not effectively control overlap in the working area during tractor turns.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses geometric information from the mowing unit's mountings and tractor data to adjust the working area's position, employing swivel joints, pendulum booms, and an electronic control unit to maintain constant surface pressure and optimize the unload force, even on varying terrain, and ensures positive overlap during turns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the mowing unit is side-shifted in relation to the load-bearing frame, then the working width can be adapted, but the distance from the centre of gravity to the pivot axis changes, causing variations in surface pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the unload force adjustable and controllable in real-time. The electronic control unit dynamically adjusts the unload force based on the lateral position of the mowing unit, ensuring optimal surface pressure is maintained regardless of the working width configuration. This transforms a static system into a dynamic one that adapts to changing conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the angle of the lifting boom varies greatly during work on uneven terrain, then the mowing unit can follow the terrain, but the effective lever arm length of the springy element varies, causing variations in unload force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by using sensors to detect the actual lateral position and terrain conditions, then feeding this information to the electronic control unit. The control unit continuously adjusts the unload force based on this feedback, ensuring that the mowing unit maintains optimal surface pressure even when following uneven terrain. This closed-loop control system resolves the contradiction between terrain adaptation and force stability.
3Ease of operation
If a constant unload force is used, then the system is simple to operate, but optimal surface pressure cannot be maintained when terrain or positioning changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by automatically adjusting the unload force without requiring manual intervention. The electronic control unit monitors the lateral position and terrain conditions and autonomously modifies the unload force to maintain optimal surface pressure. This eliminates the need for constant manual adjustment while ensuring reliable performance, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
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 solution ensures optimal surface pressure and efficient operation on uneven terrain, minimizes damage to pastures, and maintains consistent overlap during turns, improving adaptability and operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the springy elements is formed of a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder whose lifting power in the working position compensates for most of the weight of the mowing unit
Implementation Method 2
The electronic control unit is arranged to adjust the unload force in the springy element as a function of the lateral position of the mowing unit
Data Source
Figure 1~1A
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An agricultural machine (21) provided with at least one working unit (2, 2') suspended in a springy manner to a load-bearing frame (1) where each working unit is movably fastened by means of a lifting boom (3). The outer end of said lifting boom is fastened with a swivel joint to a secondary boom (4) and at least two horizontal swivel shafts (5, 5', 7, 7') substantially parallel to the driving direction, and supported by at least one springy element (8, 8'). At least one of the springy elements is formed of a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder or a bellows element, the unload force of which in the working position compensates for most of the weight of the working unit, so that an optimal surface pressure is achieved against the ground, irrespective of which positions the load-bearing central frame, the lifting boom and the secondary boom assume in relation to each other during work. According to the invention, geometric information measured from the fastening point of the working unit to the load-bearing frame together with information on the turning radius and driving speed of the tractor is used for optimally positioning the working area of the working unit supported behind the tractor in relation to the centre line of the agricultural machine, or in relation to the working area of a working tool mounted in front of the agricultural machine.