Spring Tine Harrow with Dynamic Depth Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current weed harrowing apparatuses face challenges in controlling the working depth, which can result in damage to cultivated crops if too deep or inadequate weed control if too shallow, especially in fields with varying soil hardness.
Innovation Solution
A spring tine harrow with a sensor unit and actuator system that automatically adjusts the tine section's tilt in response to soil type changes, allowing for consistent working depth across different soil types by using a control module to compute mean tilt values and adjust fluid pressure in pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the working depth of a weed harrow is increased to control seed weed more effectively, then weed control is improved, but the cultivated crop may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the tine section tiltably attached to the carrying frame, allowing it to adjust its angle dynamically. The sensor unit continuously monitors the tilt angle and provides feedback to the control module, which adjusts the actuator to maintain optimal working depth. This dynamic adjustment enables the harrow to achieve sufficient working depth for effective weed control while preventing excessive depth that would damage crops.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through the sensor unit that measures the tilt angle of the tine section and feeds this information to the control module. The control module compares the measured tilt angle with the desired working depth and adjusts the actuator accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system ensures the harrow maintains the optimal working depth to control weeds effectively without damaging the crop.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the working depth is reduced to protect the cultivated crop, then crop damage is minimized, but seed weed control becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The tiltable tine section with dynamic angle adjustment allows the harrow to adapt to varying soil conditions and crop stages. The sensor unit continuously monitors the actual working depth and the control module adjusts the tilt angle to maintain the optimal depth for weed control while protecting the crop, resolving the contradiction between shallow and deep working depths.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback mechanism through the sensor unit and control module ensures the harrow maintains the precise working depth needed for effective weed control. The system continuously monitors and adjusts the tine section angle to prevent both insufficient weed control and excessive crop damage, achieving the optimal balance.
3Device complexity
If a fixed working depth is used in fields with varying soil hardness, then the harrow structure remains simple, but effective weed control cannot be maintained across different soil types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed working depth design into a dynamic system where the tine section can adjust its angle in response to soil hardness variations. The sensor unit detects changes in working conditions and the control module adjusts the tilt angle accordingly, enabling consistent weed control across different soil types without requiring an overly complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the working parameter (tine section tilt angle) in response to varying soil hardness conditions. The sensor unit monitors the actual working depth and the control module adjusts the tilt angle parameter to maintain optimal working depth across different soil types, ensuring consistent weed control effectiveness.
4Device complexity
If manual adjustment of tine section tilt is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to automatically adapt to soil type changes is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through the automated sensor-unit-and-control-module system that continuously monitors and adjusts the tine section tilt without manual intervention. The sensor unit detects soil type changes and working depth variations, and the control module automatically adjusts the actuator to maintain optimal conditions, enabling the harrow to adapt autonomously to varying soil types.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback loop through the sensor unit and control module enables automatic adaptation to soil type changes. The sensor unit continuously measures the tilt angle and working depth, and the control module processes this information to adjust the actuator accordingly, allowing the harrow to self-regulate and adapt to different soil conditions without manual intervention.
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
Enables precise and adaptive mechanical weed control, minimizing crop damage while effectively hindering seed weed growth regardless of soil type, by continuously monitoring and adjusting the tine depth to maintain optimal working conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Suitable types of sensor units may comprise a potentiometric position sensor, or a proximity sensor.
Implementation Method 2
the actuator means comprises a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder adapted for tilting the tine section relative to the first carrying frame
Implementation Method 3
the actuator means comprises a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder adapted for tilting the tine section relative to the first carrying frame
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for mechanical weed control of a crop field, and a spring tine harrow for such method.