Adaptive Row Unit Downforce for Consistent Furrow Depth

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current agricultural planting machines struggle with inconsistent downforce control due to varying soil conditions within a single field, leading to suboptimal seeding performance and potential loss of contact with the soil, especially at increased speeds.

Innovation Solution

A system that automatically measures soil strength on-the-go and adjusts downforce and upforce on row units based on real-time soil conditions, using sensors and actuators to maintain optimal planting performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If downforce is increased to maintain furrow depth in hard soil, then furrow depth consistency is improved, but the risk of losing contact with soil at increased speeds increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefurrow depth consistencyVSAvoidcontact with soil

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The downforce actuator dynamically adjusts downforce based on real-time soil strength measurements and machine speed, transitioning from static to dynamic control to maintain optimal furrow depth consistency while preventing loss of soil contact at varying speeds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses soil strength sensors to provide feedback about actual soil conditions, which the control system uses to adjust downforce actuator output, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains furrow depth consistency while adapting to changing conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Use of energy by moving object

If downforce is decreased to reduce stress on the machine, then energy consumption is reduced, but furrow depth consistency deteriorates in varying soil conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidfurrow depth consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different downforce levels to different row units based on local soil strength measurements, allowing each row unit to operate at optimal downforce for its specific location rather than applying uniform downforce across all rows

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The control system changes the downforce parameter in real-time based on soil strength measurements and machine speed, optimizing the balance between energy consumption and furrow depth consistency for current operating conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If manual adjustment of downforce is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to varying soil conditions within a single field deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidadaptability to soil conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-adjustment of downforce based on automated soil strength measurements and control algorithms, eliminating the need for continuous manual intervention while maintaining high adaptability to varying soil conditions across the field

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12457921B2Controlling components of row unit based on soil strength

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 DEERE & CO

AI summary

An agricultural machine includes a soil strength generation system that generates an output indicator of soil strength. A control system generates on action signal based on the soil strength.