System comprising a soil working implement, an object in the vicinity of the soil working implement, a detection device and a control device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing soil cultivation systems risk damage when an automatically moving soil cultivation implement enters the detection area of a displacement device, causing undesired displacement of a displaceable partial object area, potentially pinching or damaging the implement.

Innovation Solution

The system is designed to deactivate the displacement device when a soil cultivation implement is detected within the detection area, using sensors and communication protocols to prevent automatic relocation and protect the implement from damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the displacement device is activated to automatically open doors or drawers by detecting movement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because other moving objects like soil cultivation implements can trigger false displacement causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic door/drawer openingVSAvoidfalse activation by other objects
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from the detection device to monitor the detection area continuously. When a soil cultivation implement is detected, the control device receives this feedback and automatically deactivates the displacement device to prevent false activation, thereby resolving the reliability issue while maintaining ease of operation for legitimate use cases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The displacement device transitions from a static activated state to a dynamic state where it can be automatically deactivated based on real-time detection conditions. The system adapts its operation mode dynamically - normally active for user convenience, but automatically deactivated when potential damage risks are detected, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If the detection area is expanded to cover more floor space for better detection, then the measurement precision is improved, but the object-generated harmful factors worsen because more objects including soil cultivation implements can enter the detection area and cause damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection area coverageVSAvoiddamage risk from detected objects
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control device continuously receives feedback from the detection device about objects in the expanded detection area. When a soil cultivation implement is detected within this area, the system automatically deactivates the displacement device, allowing the detection area to remain large for precision purposes while preventing harmful effects through active monitoring and response

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control device acts as an intermediary between the detection device and the displacement device. It receives detection data about various objects in the expanded detection area, identifies potential hazards like soil cultivation implements, and mediates by deactivating the displacement device only when necessary, thus allowing large detection area coverage without proportionally increasing damage risks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution effectively prevents damage to soil cultivation implements by ensuring the displacement device remains inactive when the implement is present, ensuring safe operation and reducing the risk of collision or pinching.

Implementation Method 1

The detection device assigned to the displacement device can be, for example, an acoustic or optical detection device that works by means of ultrasound or light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical detection: Light

Implementation Method 2

The detection device assigned to the displacement device can be, for example, an acoustic or optical detection device that works by means of ultrasound or light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic detection: Ultrasound

Data Source

PatentEP3738493B1System comprising a soil working implement, an object in the vicinity of the soil working implement, a detection device and a control device
Publication Date: 2021.11.24 VORWERK & CO INTERHOLDING GMBH
  • EP3738493B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3738493B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a system comprising a soil cultivation device (1), an object (2) located in the vicinity of the soil cultivation device (1), which has an object sub-area (4) and a relocation device (3) for automatically relocating the object sub-area (4), a detection device (5) which is suitable for detecting the presence of the soil cultivation device (1) in a detection area (6) of the detection device (5), and a control device (7) for generating a control command for the relocation device (3) depending on the detection result of the detection device (5).In order to prevent a collision with the soil cultivation device (1) in the case of automatic relocation devices (3) of objects (2), it is proposed that the control command be suitable to deactivate the relocation device (3) so that a relocation of the object sub-area (4) is prevented even when the soil cultivation device (1) is present in the detection area (6).