Agricultural Soil Sensor Control via Penetration Depth
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural implements with soil sensors face issues of inaccurate data collection due to sensor exposure above the soil surface during depth adjustments, leading to erroneous soil property readings that can impact planting and seeding operations.
Innovation Solution
A soil sensor control system that includes a controller with a memory and processor, configured to determine the tool penetration depth of ground engaging tools and control the operational state of soil sensors based on their condition relative to the soil surface, ensuring accurate data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the ground engaging tool penetration depth is adjusted to below the soil surface, then the soil sensor can detect accurate soil properties, but the sensor may be exposed above the soil surface during depth adjustments causing inaccurate data collection
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of soil sensors based on real-time penetration depth measurements. The controller monitors the actual penetration depth of the ground engaging tool and selectively activates or deactivates sensors accordingly, ensuring sensors only collect data when properly positioned below the soil surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the penetration depth of the ground engaging tool and using this information to control sensor activation. The controller receives penetration depth data and adjusts sensor operational states based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop system that prevents inaccurate data collection.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple soil sensors are installed at different positions on the ground engaging tool, then comprehensive soil property data can be collected, but the complexity of controlling and managing these sensors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves multiple functions: it monitors penetration depth, determines sensor operational states, and controls the activation/deactivation of multiple sensors. This multi-functional approach consolidates control logic into a single device, reducing overall system complexity while managing multiple sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically determines which sensors should be active based on the penetration depth measurement, eliminating the need for manual sensor control. The controller self-regulates sensor activation states according to the actual tool position, reducing operational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An implement monitoring/soil sensor control system for an agricultural implement may include one or more soil sensors configured to couple to a ground engaging tool of the agricultural implement. The one or more soil sensors may be configured to detect one or more soil properties. Additionally, the soil sensor control system includes a controller with a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of a height of a main frame of the agricultural implement above a soil surface, determine a tool penetration depth of the ground engaging tool based on the height of the main frame, wherein the ground engaging tool is configured to couple to the main frame, and selectively activate the one or more soil sensors based on the tool penetration depth of the ground engaging tool.