Rotating Plow Cutting Elements Reduce Tractive Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plows require high tractive effort due to high friction and shearing forces, leading to increased fuel consumption and ground compaction, while not effectively loosening or aerating the soil, resulting in compacted earth ridges and the need for multiple tillage operations.
Innovation Solution
A method using rotatable cutting elements, specifically a support structure with a first and second cutting element, where the second cutting element is positioned in front of the first, to minimize tractive force by cutting and lifting earth ridges in a pincer-like manner, reducing friction and shearing forces, and allowing for better soil loosening and aeration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional rigid plow components are used to cut and turn earth ridges, then the earth ridge can be removed and turned in one piece, but high friction and shearing forces require substantial tractive effort
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the earth ridge into separate components: the upper portion is cut vertically by a disc colter while the lower portion is separated horizontally by a subsoiler. This segmentation allows each component to be processed independently, reducing the overall force required compared to moving the entire ridge as one piece.
Solution Approach 2:
The subsoiler extracts and loosens the lower portion of the earth ridge from the compacted subsoil, separating it from the upper portion. This extraction reduces the friction and shearing forces that would otherwise act on the entire ridge during turning operations.
2Productivity
If conventional plows are used to remove and turn earth ridges in one piece, then the plowing process is completed in a single operation, but the earth ridges remain in a compacted state requiring multiple tillage operations
Solution Approach 1:
The subsoiler performs preliminary loosening of the subsoil and lower earth ridge portion before the main turning operation. This preliminary action breaks up compacted soil structures in advance, creating a more favorable soil condition that reduces the need for subsequent tillage operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the lower earth ridge portion from compacted to loosened by using the subsoiler. This parameter change in soil structure allows for better aeration and root penetration, reducing the number of additional tillage operations needed.
3Reliability
If heavy machines are used to achieve reliable subsoil loosening with a driven subsoiler, then the subsoil can be loosened effectively, but ground compaction increases and fuel consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The subsoiler is designed as an unpowered follow-up device that uses the momentum and weight of the passing disc colter and earth ridge to achieve effective subsoil loosening. The system serves itself by utilizing the existing mechanical energy in the plowing process rather than requiring additional driven power.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the approach to subsoil loosening from using high-powered driven mechanisms to using the natural momentum and weight of the plowing system. This parameter change in the loosening mechanism reduces fuel consumption and minimizes ground compaction while maintaining effectiveness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces the tractive force requirement, saves fuel, improves ecological tillage by better oxygenating the soil, prevents plow pan formation, and decreases the number of tillage operations needed to prepare a seedbed.
Implementation Method 1
This subprocess requires a particularly significant tractive effort in the case of a moldboard plow. The plowshare for example cuts an earth ridge out of the ground horizontally and vertically, using the moldboard.
Implementation Method 2
A method for plowing ground is thus provided which ensures a lower tractive force requirement and, associated therewith, a significant fuel saving. In addition, further advantages consist in the fact that improved ecological agricultural ground tillage is possible, because the ground can be better loosened and aerated.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for ploughing a ground (120) using a plough device (100). A rotatable first plate-like cutting element (102) having a circumferential first cutting edge (103) is arranged on a support structure (101) and is designed such that when the support structure (101) is moved on the ground (120) along a ploughing direction (110), a side region (202) of a soil ridge (201) of the ground (120) is being cut by a first cutting region (104) of the first cutting edge (103). A second preferably disc-shaped cutting element (105) having a second cutting edge (106) is arranged on the support structure (101) and is designed such that when the support structure (101) is moved on the ground (120) along a ploughing direction (110), a base region (203) of a soil ridge (201) of the ground (120) is being cut by a second cutting region (118) of the second cutting edge (106), wherein the second cutting element (105) is arranged relative to the first cutting element (102) in the ploughing direction (110) such that the second cutting region (118) is arranged before the first cutting region (104) in the ploughing direction (110).