Row Unit Downforce Control for Uneven-Terrain Ground Following
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural machines with adjustable frames face challenges in maintaining optimal ground following, especially on uneven terrain, due to changes in tire or track positions and increased vertical travel requirements for row units, necessitating more effective control systems for adjusting the frame to ensure proper soil engagement.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a main frame with an adjustable frame and row units, where a linking arm is pivotably coupled to the adjustable frame, allowing for the determination and adjustment of ground following indicators through sensors and actuators to maintain optimal height and force output, ensuring the row units maintain engagement with the soil.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If tires or tracks are moved forward relative to the main frame to accommodate larger sizes, then the pivot point of the adjustable frame moves further from the row units, but the row units require greater vertical travel to maintain soil engagement on uneven terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses sensors to detect the actual position and ground contact status of row units, compares this with desired positions, and automatically adjusts the adjustable frame via actuators to maintain optimal ground following, eliminating the need for manual operator intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment operations with an automated electro-hydraulic control system that uses electronic sensors, controllers, and actuators to manage frame positioning, reducing operator workload and improving precision
2Manufacturing precision
If the adjustable frame is manually adjusted to maintain row unit ground following, then soil engagement can be maintained, but operator workload and adjustment precision are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting row unit position deviations through sensors and commanding actuators to correct the adjustable frame position, enabling the system to maintain optimal ground following without continuous operator input
Solution Approach 2:
Real-time feedback from position sensors and ground contact sensors enables the control system to continuously monitor and adjust the adjustable frame position, achieving high precision ground following that exceeds manual adjustment capabilities
3Reliability
If the row units travel further in the vertical direction to maintain soil engagement on challenging terrain, then ground following improves, but the risk of losing optimal height control increases
Solution Approach 1:
Position sensors mounted on the adjustable frame continuously measure the vertical position and orientation of the frame relative to the main frame, providing real-time feedback to the control system to maintain precise height control even during large vertical movements
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts the downforce applied by the adjustable frame actuator based on real-time position feedback, modifying the force parameter to maintain optimal row unit height and ground following across varying terrain conditions
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural machine includes a main frame, an adjustable frame coupled to the main frame and, a row unit which includes a linking arm coupled to the adjustable frame, and an actuator coupled to the main frame and the adjustable frame. The agricultural machine also includes a controller configured to command the actuator to output various downforces to the row units based on signals received from one or more sensors. The one or more sensors are configured to measure one more indicators associated with an actual height of the row unit relative to ground.