Spray Boom Inclination Control During Check Valve Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural vehicles face issues with uncontrolled movements of the spray boom assembly during the opening of check valves, leading to potential damage and uneven material distribution due to ground unevenness and asymmetrical folding, which existing suspension systems fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A control device with pressure control valves and sensors that precisely control the inclination of the spray boom assembly, using check valves to maintain a rigid position and prevent uncontrolled movements by adapting pressure settings based on measured values, especially during the opening of check valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If check valves are closed to rigidly connect the spray boom assembly to the agricultural vehicle, then the spray boom assembly is held in a fixed position, but uncontrolled movements occur when the check valves are opened
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit adapts the pressure control valve settings to the target value before the check valves are opened. This preliminary adjustment ensures that when the check valves open, the pressure is already optimized to prevent uncontrolled movements of the spray boom assembly, eliminating the harmful effect while maintaining the beneficial fixed position during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pressure sensors to detect the actual pressure in the hydraulic circuit and feeds this information back to the control unit. The control unit compares the actual pressure with the target value and adjusts the pressure control valves accordingly, ensuring precise control during the critical opening phase of check valves and preventing uncontrolled movements.
2Measurement precision
If pressure control valves are used to control spray boom inclination, then precise control is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs multiple functions: it controls the pressure control valves, adapts settings to target values, receives feedback from pressure sensors, and coordinates check valve operations. By consolidating these functions into a single control unit, the system achieves precise control while minimizing the number of separate components, thus reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically adjusts the pressure control valve settings based on feedback from pressure sensors and pre-stored target values. The control unit autonomously manages the entire pressure control process without requiring manual intervention, simplifying operation while maintaining precise control through self-regulating feedback mechanisms.
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 solution effectively reduces the risk of uncontrolled movements and ensures homogeneous material distribution by maintaining precise control over the spray boom assembly's inclination, even during asymmetrical conditions, thus enhancing the efficiency and reliability of agricultural vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
Each pressure control valve has assigned thereto a check valve and a pressure sensor, the check valve being arranged between the pressure sensor and the pressure control valve
Implementation Method 2
two pressure control valves used for controlling the inclination of the spray boom assembly
Implementation Method 3
As soon as these check valves are closed, no fluid can escape from the actuator and the spray boom assembly is rigidly connected to the agricultural vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A control device for an agricultural vehicle having a spray boom assembly for spreading material, such as fertilizer, plant protection products or seeds includes a control unit and at least two pressure control valves used for controlling an inclination of the spray boom assembly and connected to the control unit. Each pressure control valve has assigned thereto a check valve and a pressure sensor, the check valve being arranged between the pressure sensor and the pressure control valve. An agricultural vehicle and a method for operating the agricultural vehicle are arranged to spread material, such as fertilizer, plant protection products or seeds.