Agricultural Shank Depth Control via Load Sensor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural implements face challenges in efficiently determining and adjusting the depth of shank points below the compaction layer to minimize soil resistance and wear, as traditional methods are time-consuming and may not accurately account for non-uniform compaction layers across a field.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural implement equipped with a load sensor and controller that generates and analyzes load profiles to adjust the depth of the shank point, allowing for precise determination and penetration into the compaction layer, reducing soil resistance and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the shank point is advanced deeper below the compaction layer, then the compaction layer is more effectively broken and crop roots can grow deeper, but the soil resistance increases and fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses load sensors on the shanks to continuously monitor soil resistance and provide feedback to the controller. The controller adjusts the shank depth in real-time based on this feedback, maintaining optimal penetration depth that breaks the compaction layer without excessive depth that would increase fuel consumption. This closed-loop control resolves the contradiction by dynamically adapting depth to actual soil conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The shank depth is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The actuator system allows the shank depth to change continuously based on real-time load sensor data, enabling the system to adapt to varying soil conditions across the field. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between breaking effectiveness and energy consumption.
2Reliability
If the shank point is advanced deeper below the compaction layer, then the compaction layer is more effectively broken, but the wear on the shank increases
Solution Approach 1:
Load sensors provide continuous feedback on the forces experienced by the shanks. The controller uses this feedback to prevent excessive penetration depth that would cause unnecessary wear, while maintaining sufficient depth to effectively break the compaction layer. This extends shank service life while preserving breaking effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters (shank depth, penetration force) based on real-time conditions. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system achieves effective compaction layer breaking without subjecting the shanks to excessive stresses that would accelerate wear and reduce service life.
3Device complexity
If traditional manual probing methods are used to determine compaction layer depth, then equipment complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical probing with an automated electronic measurement system. Load sensors and a controller automatically measure and determine compaction layer depth, eliminating the need for manual probing. This substitution maintains relatively simple equipment while dramatically improving measurement precision and reducing time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-measurement and self-adjustment of shank depth based on load sensor data. The implement automatically determines the compaction layer depth and adjusts its own operation without requiring manual intervention, achieving high measurement precision while keeping the overall system relatively simple.
4Measurement precision
If an auxiliary shank with pressure sensor is used to find the compaction layer, then measurement precision improves, but the resistance of the implement advancing through the field increases
Solution Approach 1:
The load sensors on the main tillage shanks serve dual purposes: they perform the primary function of monitoring tillage forces and simultaneously detect compaction layer depth. This eliminates the need for a separate auxiliary shank, maintaining measurement precision while reducing implement resistance by removing the extra auxiliary component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the compaction layer detection function with the existing tillage shanks by using their load sensors for dual purposes. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate auxiliary measurement equipment, achieving accurate compaction layer detection without the added resistance that would result from additional auxiliary shanks.
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
The system accurately determines the compaction layer depth, reducing fuel consumption and wear on the implement by optimizing shank point penetration depth, thereby enhancing soil preparation and crop root growth.
Implementation Method 1
a load sensor associated with the shank point which generates an output signal corresponding to a resistive load applied to the shank point as the shank point advances through the soil
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural implement includes a chassis; an implement frame carried by the chassis; a shank connected to the implement frame, the shank including a shank point configured to break apart soil and a load sensor associated with the shank point which is configured to output shank load signals as the shank point advances through soil; an actuator carried by the chassis and configured to adjust a depth of the shank point; and a controller electrically coupled to the load sensor and the actuator. The controller is configured to receive the shank load signals; generate a load profile from the received shank load signals; analyze the load profile to determine whether the shank point is in a soil compaction layer; and activate the actuator to adjust the depth of the shank point based on the analyzed load profile.