Plough Controller Furrow Width Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ploughing technologies lack an efficient method to automatically set and maintain the lateral operating characteristics, such as furrow width, which affects the uniformity and quality of the ploughing operation.
Innovation Solution
A controller for a plough that receives furrow edge information, tractor location information, and relative plough position information to determine the plough location and set the width of the first furrow based on this data, thereby improving the uniformity of the ploughing operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual ploughing operation is used, then operator flexibility is maintained, but ploughing uniformity and quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The controller receives real-time position information from GPS receivers on both the tractor and plough, along with furrow edge information from image processing. This feedback loop enables the controller to dynamically calculate and adjust the plough's lateral position and furrow width to maintain consistent ploughing quality across the field, resolving the contradiction between automation precision and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control with an automated electronic control system that uses GPS positioning, image processing for furrow detection, and electronic actuators to control plough position and furrow width. This substitution achieves consistent ploughing uniformity that would be difficult to maintain manually while managing complexity through integrated electronic control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed furrow width is used, then plough structure is simple, but adaptability to varying field conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The plough system transitions from fixed to dynamic furrow width control. The controller continuously adjusts the lateral position of the plough bodies and furrow width based on real-time GPS position data, furrow edge detection from image processing, and calculated plough location information. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the plough to adapt to varying field conditions while maintaining a relatively simple physical structure through electronic control.
3Manufacturing precision
If automated plough control is implemented, then ploughing quality improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs multiple functions within a single integrated system: receiving GPS position information from both tractor and plough, processing images to detect furrow edges, calculating plough location based on relative position data, determining optimal furrow width, and controlling plough lateral position. This multi-functionality improves ploughing quality while managing complexity by consolidating control functions into a single controller rather than separate systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
A controller (552) for a plough. The controller is configured to: receive furrow edge information (553), which represents the location of the edge of a furrow from an earlier ploughing run that is adjacent to the furrows being created as part of a current ploughing run; receive tractor location information (555), which represents the location of a tractor as it is propelling the plough during the ploughing run; and receive relative plough position information (557) that defines the lateral position of the plough relative to the tractor during the ploughing run. The controller can then determine plough location information, which represents the location of the plough, based on the received tractor location information and the received relative plough position information; and set a width of a first furrow (560) of the plough based on the received furrow edge information (553) and the determined plough location information for the current and / or a future ploughing run.