Agricultural Spreader Damping Control via Electronic Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural spreader technologies face complexity in controlling the distributor linkage, with inadequate vibration damping and adaptation to varying operating conditions, leading to suboptimal performance during material distribution.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of electronically controlled damping elements, utilizing electrorheological or magnetorheological principles, which adjust damping characteristics based on driving speed, steering angle, towing vehicle conditions, and fill level, allowing for optimized and automated linkage guidance and position control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If electronically controlled damping elements are introduced to adapt damping characteristics to varying operating conditions, then the stability and quietness of the distributor linkage position is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of distributor linkage positionVSAvoidcomplexity of control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The damping elements are made dynamically adjustable through electronic control, allowing the damping characteristics to change in real-time based on operating conditions such as driving speed, steering angle, and fill level. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to maintain optimal stability across varying conditions without requiring a completely complex static system design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control system utilizes feedback from sensors monitoring operating parameters (driving speed, steering angle, fill level) to automatically adjust the damping characteristics. This feedback mechanism enables the damping elements to respond adaptively to changing conditions, maintaining distributor linkage stability while using an intelligent control approach rather than overly complex mechanical designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If passive or active controlled components are used to adapt damping properties to linkage parameters, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity and control requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability of damping propertiesVSAvoidcomplexity of control components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The damping properties are adapted by changing the damping parameter values based on operating conditions. The electronic control device modifies the damping characteristics of the damping elements according to measured parameters such as driving speed, steering angle, and fill level, achieving adaptability through parameter adjustment rather than complex structural changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical adaptation mechanisms with an electronic control system that uses sensors and electronic actuators to adjust damping properties. This substitution of mechanical systems with electronic control achieves the same adaptability function with reduced mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If brakes and return springs are arranged between the frame and distributor linkage to maintain still position, then the simplicity of the control device is improved, but the adaptability to varying operating conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of control deviceVSAvoidadaptability to operating conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control system transitions from static mechanical elements (brakes and springs) to dynamic electronic control of damping elements. This allows the system to adapt damping characteristics in real-time based on operating conditions, achieving versatility that passive mechanical components cannot provide.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic control system with sensors enables the damping elements to self-adjust according to operating conditions without requiring complex external control mechanisms. The system monitors its own state and automatically adapts, providing simplicity through automation rather than through simple mechanical design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 enables a quiet and stable distributor linkage position even under challenging conditions, ensuring smooth and efficient material distribution by dynamically adjusting damping behavior to match real-time operating conditions, thereby improving the overall performance and adaptability of the spreader.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing electrorheological or magnetorheological principles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrorheological principle: Electrorheological Effect

Implementation Method 2

utilizing electrorheological or magnetorheological principles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetorheological principle: Magnetorheological Fluid

Implementation Method 3

effective vibration damping is to be achieved

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2526755B1Agricultural distribution machine
Publication Date: 2014.04.02 AMAZONEN WERKE H DREYER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2526755B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2526755B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2526755B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The agricultural spreader (1) comprises spreader bars (3), a frame (5) supported on a chassis at the bottom, and a storage container. The spreader bar is suspended on the frame by a suspension unit movable around a pivot axis in the driving direction. The spreader bar comprises an extension unit transverse to the driving direction, which is a multiple of the transport width of the spreader. The damping element is controlled by an electronic control unit (23) corresponding to the damping mappings deposited in the storage unit of the control unit depending on the drive speed of the spreader.