Agricultural Implement Controller for Dynamic Tillage Depth Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural tillage implements with fixed penetration depth and downforce settings fail to achieve uniform soil conditioning due to varying crop residue, terrain, and soil types, leading to uneven tillage and potential crop yield reduction.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural implement controller that uses pre-tillage images to determine a crop residue mass map and adjusts the penetration depth and downforce of ground engaging tools in real-time based on the implement's position, optimizing ground cover and enhancing crop yield potential.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If fixed penetration depth and downforce settings are used, then the implement structure is simple and easy to operate, but uniform soil conditioning cannot be achieved due to varying crop residue, terrain, and soil types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from fixed, static penetration depth and downforce settings to dynamically adjustable parameters. The system continuously modifies tillage parameters based on real-time sensor data about crop residue distribution, terrain variations, and soil conditions, enabling uniform soil conditioning across heterogeneous field conditions while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by applying different penetration depths and downforce settings to specific locations within the field based on local conditions. The control system processes spatially-resolved sensor data and adjusts tillage parameters for each zone, ensuring that areas with heavy residue receive different treatment than areas with light residue, thereby achieving uniform overall conditioning while adapting to local variations.
2Reliability
If fixed tillage parameters are used throughout the field, then the control system is simple, but inadequate or excessive ground cover occurs in different field regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback by continuously monitoring field conditions through sensors that detect crop residue distribution, terrain profile, and soil characteristics. This real-time feedback information is processed by the control system, which then adjusts penetration depth and downforce parameters to maintain optimal ground cover. The closed-loop control ensures reliable soil protection by compensating for variations in field conditions while automating the complexity of parameter adjustments.
3Productivity
If uniform penetration depth and downforce are applied, then the implement operation is straightforward, but crop emergence is delayed in cool/wet spring conditions reducing crop yield
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the tillage implement to automatically adjust its own operating parameters without operator intervention. The control system independently processes sensor data about soil conditions, crop residue, and terrain, then modifies penetration depth and downforce settings to optimize crop emergence and yield. This automation maintains ease of operation while significantly improving productivity by adapting to varying field conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural implement controller configured to receive a first signal indicative of at least one image of a field and to determine a crop residue mass map of the field based on the at least one image. In addition, the agricultural implement controller is configured to receive a second signal indicative of a position of an agricultural tillage implement within the field and to determine a target penetration depth, a target downforce, a target speed, or a combination thereof, of at least one ground engaging tool based on the crop residue mass map of the field and the position of the agricultural tillage implement. Furthermore, the agricultural implement controller is configured to output a third signal indicative of instructions to control at least one actuator coupled to the at least one ground engaging tool based on the target penetration depth, the target downforce, the target speed, the combination thereof.