Multi-Stage Bearing Unit for Agricultural Tool Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural work machines face challenges in accurately determining the operating state, particularly in recording the location and force of tool devices during soil processing, due to soil property changes and potential measurement inaccuracies.

Innovation Solution

The agricultural work machine is equipped with a multi-stage storage unit and sensor devices that allow for precise recording of operating parameters, such as force and location, enabling improved determination of the operating state and more accurate control of tool devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a single-stage bearing unit is used to support the tool element, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to potential falsified measurement results under varying soil conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing unit is divided into multiple stages, with each stage comprising bearing elements that support the tool element at different positions. This segmentation allows for more accurate force distribution measurement while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular construction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-stage bearing unit acts as an intermediary structure between the tool element and the support unit, providing intermediate support points that enable more precise measurement of forces acting on the tool element during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the agricultural machine operates under varying soil conditions, then the adaptability is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to changes in soil properties affecting force measurements

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidmeasurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing unit is designed with multiple stages that can dynamically respond to varying soil conditions, allowing the support structure to adapt to changing forces while maintaining measurement accuracy through distributed sensing points

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system measures changes in operating parameters (forces, positions) at multiple bearing stages to detect and adapt to varying soil conditions, using these parameter changes to maintain measurement precision despite external condition variations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4552460A1Agricultural machine and method for operating an agricultural machine
Publication Date: 2025.05.14 HORSCH MASCHINEN SE & CO KG
  • EP4552460A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4552460A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4552460A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an agricultural machine (A) for cultivating soil (B) and/or for incorporating agricultural material into soil (B) by means of at least one tool device (10) which is adjustable, wherein the at least one tool device (10) comprises at least one tool assembly (100; 200; 300) and a functional unit (400), wherein the functional unit (400) comprises a support unit (410) with a tool element (420) for contacting the soil (B) in order to guide the at least one tool assembly (100; 200; 300) in a defined position relative to the soil (B) and/or to determine an actual operating state which is assigned to the at least one tool device (10), wherein the tool element (420) is movably coupled to the support unit (410) by means of a bearing unit (430; 440; 450), wherein the bearing unit (430; 440;450) is designed in multiple stages, and wherein at least one sensor device (500) is assigned for detecting at least one operating parameter of the bearing unit (430; 440; 450) and/or the support unit (410) and/or the tool element (420). The invention further relates to a method for operating an agricultural machine (A).