Pitch Plow Cutting Edge Elevation Control via Sensor Fusion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pitch plow systems lack precise control over the elevation of the cutting edge, leading to inconsistent installation depths of flexible pipes, which affects drainage characteristics and efficiency in agricultural and infrastructure applications.
Innovation Solution
A control system combining hydraulic and electronic controls, utilizing a first sensor for orientation and a second sensor for GNS location, with a weighted function to determine actual elevation and adjust the cutting edge, ensuring consistent depth installation through a Kalman filter-based probability estimator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a pitch plow is used to install flexible pipe, then drainage installation can be performed, but the elevation of the cutting edge cannot be precisely controlled, leading to inconsistent installation depths
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback control by continuously measuring the actual elevation of the cutting edge using sensors (GPS receiver and inclinometer) and comparing it with the desired elevation. The electronic control then adjusts the hydraulic actuator to minimize the elevation error, ensuring consistent installation depth despite variations in terrain or operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical control mechanisms with an electronic control system that processes sensor data and automatically adjusts the hydraulic actuator. This substitution of mechanical systems with electronic control enables precise elevation management while maintaining operational efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If sensor data is combined to determine actual elevation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple sensors and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges data from multiple independent sensors (GPS receiver for horizontal position and inclinometer for pitch angle) to determine the actual elevation of the cutting edge. By combining these measurements through the electronic control, the system achieves higher measurement precision than any single sensor could provide alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic control serves multiple functions: it processes data from both the GPS receiver and inclinometer, calculates the actual elevation, compares it with the desired elevation, and controls the hydraulic actuator. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each task.
Data Source
AI summary
A pitch plow and a method of controlling an elevation of a cutting edge of a pitch plow having a frame and a shank that is pivotally mounted to the frame, with the shank defining a cutting edge includes a control system that controls an elevation of the cutting edge. The control system includes a hydraulic control between the shank and the frame to pivotally adjust the shank and an electronic control to control the hydraulic actuator. The electronic control includes a processor and first and second sensors. The processor produces an output that adjusts the hydraulic control in a manner that controls the elevation of the cutting edge. The first sensor may measure GNS location and provides a GNS location input to the processor. The second sensor may measure orientation of said shank and provides a shank orientation input to the processor.