Agricultural Spreading Machine Linkage Segments Orientation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural spreading machines with large working widths struggle to precisely process corners, curves, and edges of arable land without damaging vegetation or causing double treatments, due to limitations in adjusting the distribution device's orientation and speed.
Innovation Solution
The agricultural spreading machine features a distribution device with motorized actuators and sensors that adjust its linkage segments to be largely parallel or perpendicular to edge structures, using contour and lane determination devices to guide the machine along defined paths, allowing for precise treatment and avoiding overlaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the distribution device maintains a fixed orientation perpendicular to the direction of travel, then the machine can efficiently treat straight sections of arable land, but it cannot accurately process corners, curves, and edges without damaging vegetation or causing double treatments
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution device's orientation is made dynamic rather than fixed. The linkage segments can be actively adjusted relative to the direction of travel through motorized actuators, allowing the device to adapt its angle to match the geometry of the field boundaries, corners, and curves being treated.
Solution Approach 2:
The orientation parameter of the distribution device is changed dynamically during operation. By modifying the angular position of linkage segments relative to the direction of travel, the system can optimize the treatment pattern for different field geometries, transitioning from fixed perpendicular orientation to variable angles as needed.
2Productivity
If the machine travels at constant speed along a defined lane, then productivity is maintained, but double treatments occur at corners and edges where the fixed distribution pattern does not align with the field geometry
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from lane determination devices and contour determination devices to continuously monitor the machine's position and orientation relative to field boundaries. This feedback information is used to dynamically adjust the distribution device's orientation, ensuring that the treatment pattern aligns with the actual field geometry and preventing overlap areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of lane and contour information before the distribution operation. By预先 determining the field geometry and planned path, the system can pre-calculate the optimal orientation angles for the distribution device at upcoming corners and curves, allowing smooth transitions without compromising treatment precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the distribution device is divided into multiple pivotable linkage segments, then the device can adapt to different field geometries, but the complexity of controlling and coordinating the segments increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution device is divided into multiple independent linkage segments that can pivot relative to each other about upright axes. This segmentation allows each segment to be independently controlled and positioned, enabling the device to conform to complex field geometries including corners, curves, and irregular boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage segments are designed with universal pivotability about upright axes, allowing them to function in multiple orientations and configurations. This multi-functionality enables the same segmented structure to handle various field geometries without requiring specialized components for different scenarios.
4Stability of the object's composition
If damping elements are added to reduce vertical vibrations of the distribution device, then the stability of the device is improved, but the device still cannot perform controlled adjustment to process field corners and edges
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from passive stability (damping elements only) to active adaptability (motorized actuators). While damping elements maintain stability during normal operation, the motorized actuators enable dynamic repositioning of linkage segments to adapt to field corners and edges, combining stability with versatility.
Data Source
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AI summary
An agricultural spreading machine (10) comprising a frame (18), a storage container (24), and a spreading device (30) is disclosed, wherein the spreading device (30), which is divided into several boom segments, is movably arranged on the frame (18). The several boom segments (32) are pivotably arranged relative to each other and/or to the frame (18) via upright axes (36). The spreading machine also comprises at least one chassis having at least two wheels (12) and/or a drawbar (54), wherein the wheels (12) and/or the drawbar (54) are pivotably arranged relative to the frame (18) via upright axes (36). At least one motorized actuator (40), controllable by a control device (42), is provided for pivoting.Sensors (60) for detecting an actual value of the respective element are assigned to the linkage segments (32) and/or the upright axles (36) and/or the chassis and/or the drawbar (54) and/or the actuators (40). Contour detection devices (58) for evaluating an edge structure (50) are assigned to the distribution machine (10) or are connected to the control unit (42). Lane detection devices (74) for evaluating a driving lane (56) are assigned to the distribution machine (10) and/or are connected to the control unit (42). The motorized actuators (40) are controlled depending on an existing edge structure (50) and an existing driving lane (56) such that the linkage segments (32) and/or the distribution device (30) have an alignment that is at least largely parallel and/or perpendicular to the edge structure (50).The invention also relates to a method for controlling an agricultural distribution machine.