Agricultural Plugging Control via Sensor-Triggered Vibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural implements often experience operational inefficiencies due to plugging of ground engaging components with soil, mud, rocks, and other impediments, which prevents proper furrow formation and closure, affecting seed germination and crop production.

Innovation Solution

A plugging control system that includes sensors to detect plugging and a controller to output monitoring and control signals, allowing for adjustments to dislodge impediments and maintain efficient operation of ground engaging components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ground engaging components are used to form and close furrows, then proper seed burial and crop production are achieved, but plugging with soil, mud, rocks, and other impediments occurs preventing proper operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproper furrow formation and closureVSAvoidplugging with soil, mud, rocks, and impediments

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor detects plugging conditions before they completely prevent operation, and the controller activates shaking or vibration of the ground engaging components to dislodge impediments in advance, maintaining reliable furrow formation and closure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller causes the ground engaging components to shake or vibrate in response to detected plugging, using mechanical vibration to dislodge soil, mud, rocks, and other impediments that are blocking proper operation, thereby restoring reliable furrow formation and closure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

2Reliability

If manual monitoring and cleaning of ground engaging components is performed, then plugging is removed, but operational efficiency and productivity are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclear ground engaging componentsVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects plugging using sensors and activates shaking or vibration of the ground engaging components to dislodge impediments without requiring manual intervention, maintaining clear components while preserving operational efficiency and productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor continuously monitors the ground engaging components for plugging conditions and provides feedback to the controller, which automatically activates shaking or vibration to remove impediments, creating a self-regulating system that maintains reliability without reducing productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11284557B2Plugging control for an agricultural implement

Publication Date: 2022.03.29 INC BLUE LEAF I

AI summary

A plugging control system for an agricultural implement includes a sensor configured to output a sensor signal indicative of plugging of a ground engaging component and a controller having a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to receive the sensor signal indicative of plugging of the ground engaging component from the sensor, determine whether the plugging exceeds a threshold value, and in response to the plugging exceeding the threshold value, output a monitoring signal to perform a monitoring operation, output a control signal to perform a control operation, or both.