Automated Plough Depth Control via Field Condition Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Adjusting the working depth of agricultural plough implements is challenging due to varying soil conditions and requires manual parameter consideration, often involving a tedious trial and error process, which can lead to inefficient ploughing and increased fuel consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for automatically adjusting the working depth of plough implements using control data indicative of field conditions, including ground contours and soil characteristics, allowing independent adjustment of depth adjustment apparatuses to optimize ploughing depth based on real-time or pre-collected data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of ploughing depth is used, then the plough can be operated without complex equipment, but the adjustment process is tedious and requires trial and error
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically adjusts the working depth of the plough bodies based on received control data indicating field conditions, eliminating the need for manual trial-and-error adjustment by the operator. The system serves itself by autonomously optimizing ploughing depth according to soil characteristics and ground contours.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated control system that uses control data (such as soil characteristics and ground contours) to automatically adjust the working depth. This substitution of mechanical manual operation with an automated control mechanism resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and time consumption.
2Reliability
If uniform deep ploughing is applied across the entire field, then soil preparation is thorough, but fuel consumption increases unnecessarily in areas where less depth is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different working depths to different locations within the field based on local soil characteristics and ground contours. The control unit adjusts the working depth of individual plough bodies according to control data specific to each location, ensuring thorough soil preparation where needed while reducing depth in areas where it is not necessary, thus optimizing fuel consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the working depth of the plough bodies in real-time based on received control data indicating varying field conditions. Rather than maintaining a static uniform depth, the system continuously adapts the ploughing depth to match local soil characteristics and ground contours, resolving the contradiction between reliable soil preparation and energy efficiency.
3Productivity
If the working depth is increased to handle hard soil, then ploughing effectiveness improves, but the fuel consumption and mechanical stress increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the working depth parameter dynamically based on control data indicating soil characteristics. When hard soil is detected, the system increases the working depth to maintain ploughing effectiveness. When soil conditions allow, the system reduces the depth parameter to decrease fuel consumption and mechanical stress, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and energy use.
4Measurement precision
If individual plough bodies are adjusted independently, then precise depth control is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the plough implement into individually controllable segments (plough bodies), each with its own depth adjustment capability. The control unit can adjust the working depth of individual plough bodies independently based on received control data, achieving precise depth control for each location while managing complexity through modular independent adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method for adjusting a working depth of a plough implement (10), the plough implement comprising a plurality of ground engaging tools (22a, 22b, 24a, 24b, 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b, 30a, 30b) for penetrating and moving soil and a depth adjustment apparatus configured to adjust a working depth of at least one of the ground engaging tools, wherein the method comprises receiving control-data indicative of two or more field conditions of a field across which the plough implement is being moved; and automatically controlling an operation of the depth adjustment apparatus in a manner that adjusts a working depth of the at least one ground engaging tool on the basis of the control-data received.