Agricultural Row Unit Downforce Control System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural row crop planters face challenges in maintaining consistent seed depth and downforce across varying soil types, moisture levels, and topography, as existing systems fail to effectively adjust downforce pressure to accommodate changing conditions.

Innovation Solution

A control system for an agricultural implement that includes a downforce actuator, sensor, and controller to individually adjust up and downforce at each row unit, using user-defined targets and threshold comparisons to automatically or manually adjust force levels, ensuring consistent furrow depth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If the row unit weight is increased to maintain downforce, then the downforce pressure is improved, but the soil compaction and seed depth control are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedownforce pressureVSAvoidsoil compaction

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The downforce control system is divided into individual row unit controllers that independently adjust downforce for each row unit based on local soil conditions, rather than applying uniform downforce across all row units. This segmentation allows optimized downforce application that prevents soil compaction while maintaining sufficient pressure for seed placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts downforce pressure in real-time based on sensor feedback about soil conditions, residue levels, and row unit performance. The downforce is not fixed but continuously adapted to prevent both insufficient pressure and excessive compaction, allowing the system to respond to changing field conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the downforce is increased to maintain seed depth in high residue conditions, then the seed depth control is improved, but the row unit weight and compaction are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseed depth controlVSAvoidrow unit weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the downforce parameter dynamically based on detected conditions such as residue levels and soil type. When high residue is detected, the controller increases downforce parameter to ensure proper seed depth. When low residue is detected, the parameter is reduced to minimize compaction and weight requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Sensors monitor actual seed depth and row unit performance in real-time, providing feedback to the controller. This feedback loop allows the system to adjust downforce parameters to maintain precise seed depth control without requiring excessive weight, adapting to actual field conditions rather than relying on fixed weight settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the downforce is adjusted manually to accommodate varying soil types, then the adaptability is improved, but the operation complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoil type adaptabilityVSAvoidoperation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting soil conditions through sensors and autonomously modifying downforce parameters without requiring manual intervention. The controller monitors residue levels, soil type, and other conditions, then automatically optimizes downforce for each row unit, eliminating the need for operator judgment and manual adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical adjustment process is replaced with an automated control system that uses sensors and electronic controllers to manage downforce. Instead of requiring the operator to physically adjust downforce settings based on soil conditions, the electronic system performs these adjustments automatically, reducing operational complexity while enhancing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the downforce control system is made more complex to handle variable conditions, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield condition adaptabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into independent row unit controllers, each with its own sensors and actators. This modular segmentation allows complex adaptability to be achieved through multiple simple, identical units rather than one complex centralized system. Each row unit independently adjusts downforce based on local conditions, distributing complexity across parallel simple modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11140812B2Systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling downforce of an agricultural implement

Publication Date: 2021.10.12 KINZE MFG INC

AI summary

A downforce system adjusts the amount of downforce being applied to a row unit of an agricultural implement. The downforce system is controlled to increase or decrease the force on the row unit. A load is sensed at the row unit and compared to either or both of a user defined target and a lower threshold that can be based, at least in part, upon a percentage of a value. When the load is determined to be below the lower threshold, the user defined amount is increased at a rate of change until the load is above the threshold, at which point the increase is stopped, and reduced, if necessary.