SCV Coupling Detection for Automatic Hydraulic Valve Assignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural machines face challenges in accurately identifying and assigning fluid connections between control valves and subsystems of implements, leading to potential errors and inefficiencies in hydraulic operations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for automatically detecting and assigning selective control valves (SCVs) using sensors to capture information from identifiers on conduits, processing this information to identify the correct SCV-subsystem connections, and displaying the assignments on a user interface, thereby eliminating the need for manual input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual identification and assignment of control valves to subsystems is performed, then operational flexibility is maintained, but time consumption and potential for human error increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical identification processes with an automated optical sensing system. Sensors capture images of identifiers on conduits, and a processor automatically recognizes and assigns control valves to subsystems, eliminating the need for manual visual inspection and assignment while reducing time consumption and human error.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the hydraulic system to automatically identify and assign control valves to subsystems without human intervention. The sensor and processor work autonomously to detect identifiers, match them with subsystems, and establish correct valve assignments, making the system self-configuring.
2Measurement precision
If automated sensor-based identification is implemented, then accuracy and speed of valve assignment improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal sensor system that can identify multiple different identifiers on various conduits using the same detection mechanism. The processor is designed to handle diverse identifier types and automatically match them with corresponding subsystems, achieving high accuracy without requiring separate specialized systems for each identifier type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that bridges the sensor detection and valve assignment functions. The processor acts as a mediator that receives sensor data, interprets identifiers, matches them with subsystems, and outputs assignment information, thereby managing system complexity through modular information processing.
3Reliability
If identifiers are placed on conduits for automatic detection, then assignment accuracy improves, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simple, inexpensive identifiers that can be easily applied to conduits. These identifiers are basic visual markers that do not require complex embedded electronics or sophisticated components, making them cost-effective and simple to manufacture while still enabling reliable automatic detection by the sensor system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color-coded or visually distinct identifiers on conduits that can be easily detected by optical sensors. Different colors or visual patterns on the identifiers allow the sensor system to distinguish between different conduits and their corresponding subsystems, providing reliable identification through simple visual characteristics that are easy to manufacture.
Data Source
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AI summary
A detection system that can identify fluid connections between a plurality of control valves of, including secured to, an agricultural vehicle and an implement of an agricultural machine. Information captured by a sensor(s) can provide information that identifies one or more identifiers, each identifier being coupled to a different conduit that is used in the exchange of hydraulic fluid between the agricultural vehicle and the implement. The identifier can also correspond to recorded information regarding the particular subsystem or operation of the implement to which the conduit associated with the identified identifier is fluidly coupled. Additionally, information captured by the sensor can be used to detect the particular control valve to which the conduit associated with the identified identifier is coupled. Such information can be used in the identification, or assignment, of the particular control valve that is fluidly coupled to a particular subsystem or operation of the implement.