Row Unit Downforce Control With Double-Acting Cylinder Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural ground engaging units face challenges in maintaining constant seed depth and adjusting downforce pressure due to varying soil conditions, leading to lower precision control and potential damage when using individual control valves for multiple units.

Innovation Solution

A downforce control system utilizing a double acting cylinder with a fixed pressure control valve and a proportional pressure control valve, combined with a force feedback sensor and controller, allows for precise adjustment of downforce by comparing sensed forces to predetermined requirements and adjusting pressure in the cylinder chambers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If individual control valves are used for multiple agricultural ground engaging row units, then each row unit can react independently to soil conditions, but control precision decreases and damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIndependent reaction to soil conditionsVSAvoidControl precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic system is segmented into multiple independent circuits, with each row unit having its own control valve and sensor. This segmentation allows each row unit to independently adjust downforce based on local soil conditions while maintaining overall system coordination, resolving the contradiction between independent adaptation and control precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each row unit is equipped with sensors that provide real-time feedback on downforce and soil contact conditions to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables precise adjustment of individual row unit downforce while maintaining overall system coordination, achieving both independent reaction capability and high control precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If downforce pressure is increased to maintain seed depth in varying soil conditions, then seed depth consistency improves, but the risk of damage to agricultural ground engaging row units increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSeed depth consistencyVSAvoidDamage risk to row units

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts downforce in real-time based on actual soil conditions and row unit performance feedback. Rather than applying constant high downforce, the system modulates pressure as needed, maintaining seed depth consistency while minimizing damage risk through adaptive force application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the pressure parameter dynamically based on sensor feedback from each row unit. When soil conditions require increased downforce for seed depth maintenance, the system selectively increases pressure only to the extent needed, avoiding excessive force that could cause damage while maintaining planting precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If rapid changes in implement settings are implemented to respond to changing soil conditions, then adaptability improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveRapid adjustment capabilityVSAvoidControl system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with electronic control and hydraulic actuation. Sensors detect soil conditions and automatically trigger hydraulic pressure adjustments, enabling rapid adaptability without the mechanical complexity of manual or mechanically-linked adjustment systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses hydraulic pressure control to achieve rapid downforce adjustments. By controlling fluid pressure to hydraulic cylinders, the system can quickly and smoothly vary downforce on each row unit independently, providing rapid adaptability with simpler control compared to mechanical linkage systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 system provides higher precision control over individual agricultural ground engaging units, enabling them to react independently to soil conditions and maintain consistent downforce, reducing the risk of damage and improving operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure source; a double acting cylinder having a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein pressure in the first chamber provides a down force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS11246254B1Negative downforce system for ground engaging machinery

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 PARKER INTANGIBLES LLC

AI summary

A downforce control system for an agricultural ground engaging unit provides individual control of each agricultural ground engaging row unit by providing a proportional pressure control valve connected to the retracting chamber of a double acting cylinder which varies the upward force produced by the retracting chamber of the cylinder against a constant counteracting downward force produced by an extending chamber of the cylinder, the valve control based on a comparison of a sensed resultant downward force on the agricultural ground engaging row unit and a predetermined target downward force.