Slope-Compensating Soil Tillage Tool with Dynamic Sensor Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing soil tillage machines struggle to effectively till soil between plants in row crops without colliding with the plants, especially on ground with lateral slope inclinations, due to the oblique position of plants which can lead to incorrect detection by sensors and subsequent collisions.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a control device that allows the soil tillage tool to pivot and move transversely, with an adjusting device that automatically adjusts the tool's position based on real-time slope angle measurements from a position sensor, ensuring safe clearance from plants without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor is positioned to detect obstacles effectively, then obstacle detection capability is improved, but on sloped ground the sensor may detect obstacles incorrectly due to the oblique position of plants, leading to false positives or missed detections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the sensor position adjustable along the lateral arm. The sensor can be positioned at different locations depending on the operating conditions (flat ground vs. sloped ground), allowing the system to adapt its detection geometry to maintain accuracy across varying terrain conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of sensor position along the lateral arm to compensate for slope effects. By adjusting the sensor's longitudinal position relative to the tillage tool, the system compensates for the oblique plant arrangement on slopes, ensuring accurate obstacle detection regardless of ground inclination.
2Productivity
If the soil tillage tool is positioned close to plants to till effective areas, then tillage effectiveness is improved, but the risk of colliding with plants increases, especially on sloped ground where plant positions are oblique
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the lateral arm adjustable in both longitudinal and lateral positions. This dynamic positioning allows the tillage tool to be optimally positioned for effective tillage while maintaining safe clearance from plants, with the ability to adjust positions based on real-time obstacle detection and slope conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from obstacle sensors to continuously monitor the distance between the tillage tool and obstacles. When obstacles are detected, the control device adjusts the lateral arm position to maintain safe clearance, creating a closed-loop control system that balances tillage effectiveness with collision prevention.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of sensor position is used, then adaptability to different ground conditions is improved, but the time required for adjustment increases, reducing operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling automatic adjustment of the sensor and tillage tool positions based on slope detection. The control device autonomously determines the appropriate positions without requiring manual intervention, allowing the system to adapt to different ground conditions while maintaining operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated control system that uses sensors and electronic control to position the lateral arm and sensor. This substitution of mechanical manual adjustment with automated electro-mechanical control eliminates adjustment time loss while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A machine for soil tillage to be arranged on a towing vehicle, wherein when the towing vehicle is travelling in a travel direction an area of soil can be tilled with a soil tillage tool in an intermediate space between at least two obstacles, wherein the machine has a control device with which the soil tillage tool is pivotable into and out of the intermediate space and/or is movable in a transverse direction towards or away from the machine into the intermediate space, wherein the control device comprises an adjusting device which causes the soil tillage tool to pivot in and out and/or to move in the transverse direction by an adjustment amount after detection of an obstacle.