Shear Bolt Shank Assembly Sensor for Agricultural Tillage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tillage implement shanks may float or dig into the soil at undesirable depths due to broken or failed fasteners, leading to uneven tillage operations, as the existing systems lack effective detection and feedback mechanisms for such failures during agricultural operations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a shear bolt that shears upon contact with the shank, coupled to a rod assembly connected to a rotary sensor, which provides output indicating the shearing event, allowing for real-time monitoring and alerting the operator to potential issues through a display device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a shear bolt is used to couple the rod assembly to the bracket, then fastener failure detection is enabled, but device complexity increases due to additional sensor components
Solution Approach 1:
A rod assembly acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the shear bolt and the rotary sensor. The rod translates the shearing motion into rotational movement of the sensor shaft, enabling detection without direct connection between the bolt and sensor components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical linkage systems with a simplified rotary sensor mechanism. Instead of using multiple mechanical switches or position sensors, a single rotary sensor detects the shearing event through rotational movement of its shaft, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining detection capability.
2Manufacturing precision
If real-time monitoring of shank position is implemented, then tillage depth consistency is improved, but use of energy increases due to continuous sensor operation
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary sensor operates by detecting periodic or event-driven changes in shank position rather than continuous monitoring. The sensor shaft rotates only when the shear bolt shears, triggering a discrete detection event that provides sufficient information for depth control without requiring constant energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The shear bolt itself serves as the triggering mechanism for detection. When the bolt shears due to fastener failure, it directly causes the rod assembly to move and rotate the sensor shaft, eliminating the need for external power or active monitoring systems. The system uses the failure event itself to generate the detection signal.
3Measurement precision
If a rotary sensor with shaft is used to detect shear bolt failure, then detection precision is improved, but device complexity increases compared to simple switch mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is segmented into distinct functional components: the shear bolt, the rod assembly, and the rotary sensor. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, with the rotary sensor providing precise detection while the mechanical elements handle the transmission of motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary sensor serves multiple functions: it detects the shearing event, measures the magnitude of displacement, and can potentially track the direction of movement. This multi-functionality provides precise detection capabilities without requiring multiple separate sensors or complex mechanical linkages.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural system includes a tillage implement with a frame, a shank mount coupled to or integrally formed with the frame, a rotary sensor coupled to the shank mount, and a shank coupled to a bracket via a first fastener. The tillage implement also includes a rod assembly with a first end portion coupled to the bracket via a shear bolt that is configured to shear upon contact by the shank and a second end portion coupled to a rotary shaft of the rotary sensor.