Reversible Plow Compaction Roller Inversion Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Reversible plows face challenges in ensuring correct inversion of the compaction roller during position changes, leading to inefficiencies and additional manual maneuvers to reorient the roller, especially due to insufficient inertia, which affects soil reconsolidation and plowing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a pivot angle detector and electronic monitoring and control unit that automatically adjusts the deformable parallelogram configurations of the compaction roller, ensuring correct orientation and positioning during plow reversals, regardless of ground horizontality, by comparing detected pivot angles to setpoint values and maintaining specific configurations through a predetermined holding sequence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the roller is mounted on the plough frame without additional control mechanisms, then the structure remains simple, but the roller may not reverse correctly to the ground due to insufficient inertia during plough turning
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is programmed to anticipate the plough turning event and activate the roller actuator before the turn is complete. By detecting the start of a turning maneuver and pre-positioning the roller, the system ensures the roller will be correctly oriented toward the ground when needed, compensating for insufficient inertial reversal
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the plough's operational state and ground contact status, feeding this information back to the control unit. When the roller's ground contact is detected as incorrect during or after a turn, the control unit automatically activates the actuator to correct the position, ensuring reliable reversal despite simple mechanical design
2Reliability
If the operator manually monitors and adjusts the roller position during each turn, then the roller positioning accuracy improves, but the operator's attention requirement and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The roller positioning system operates autonomously without requiring operator intervention. The control unit automatically detects when the plough is turning, monitors the roller's ground contact status, and activates the actuator to correct positioning as needed. This self-service capability eliminates the need for continuous operator attention and manual adjustments during plowing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical adjustment process is replaced with an automated electromechanical system. The actuator, controlled by electronic sensors and a control unit, substitutes for the operator's manual physical adjustment of the roller, providing both automation and precision while reducing time loss
3Reliability
If the plough frame is pivoted through a complete turn to ensure roller reversal, then the roller orientation reliability improves, but the time required for the turning maneuver increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of waiting for the complete plough turn to rely on inertial reversal, the control system activates the roller actuator in advance during the turning maneuver. This preliminary action ensures the roller is repositioned correctly mid-turn or immediately after, eliminating the need for additional corrective turns and reducing overall turning time
Solution Approach 2:
The system skips the traditional approach of completing a full plough turn and then checking roller position. By using sensors to detect turning events and automatically actuating the roller during the turn itself, the system rushes through the positioning correction process, reducing the time the plough is non-productive
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Method of controlling and commanding at least one additional working device (2) equipping a reversible plow suitable for being hitched to a tractor vehicle and comprising a longitudinal frame (3), at least one such additional working device (2) connected to the frame (3) by means of at least two connecting arms (4) each forming a deformable connecting parallelogram (P), the frame (3) being suitable for being lifted relative to the ground (S) and pivoting around a pivoting axis (X), preferably of the order of 180°, to achieve the reversal of the plow.During the plow's reversal, the method involves detecting the pivot angle of the frame (3) and comparing it with a preselected setpoint angle (β1) between 5° and 60°. When the detected pivot angle matches the preselected setpoint angle (β1), each deformable parallelogram linkage (P) is moved into a specific configuration and maintained according to a predetermined holding sequence. The present invention also relates to a reversible plow enabling the implementation of this method.