Tillage Device Fractures Soil Compaction Behind Wheels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural machinery causes significant soil compaction, particularly with large and heavy planters, which hinders seed germination and root development, and existing solutions like additional wheels or tracks either fail to adequately address compaction or introduce new issues such as increased drag, maneuverability problems, and soil damage.

Innovation Solution

A tillage device positioned behind the weight-carrying wheels of agricultural machinery, featuring a moving linkage that raises and lowers into the soil to fracture and decompress compacted layers, with a method of attachment that allows independent disengagement and minimal interference with the machinery's operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the size and capacity of agricultural implements is increased, then the productivity is improved, but the weight of the implement increases causing increased soil compaction

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The tillage device is divided into multiple independent tilling elements (shanks, coulters, discs) that can be distributed across the implement width, allowing the compaction relief function to be segmented and applied at multiple locations without concentrating additional weight in one area

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tillage device performs preliminary action by breaking up compacted soil layers before seed placement or immediately after planting, preventing the compaction from affecting crop establishment rather than attempting to reduce the implement weight itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional tillage or ripping is used to reduce compaction, then the soil compaction is reduced, but the horsepower and torque required increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoil compactionVSAvoidhorsepower

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than attempting to till the entire soil profile deeply, the device applies partial action with multiple shallower tilling elements that collectively address compaction at critical depths without requiring the excessive horsepower needed for single deep-pass tillage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The tillage elements are arranged to create periodic action through the soil as the implement moves forward, with multiple shanks and coulters engaging the soil in sequence, distributing the energy requirement over time rather than requiring peak horsepower for a single deep penetration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If additional wheels are added to disperse compaction, then the compaction is reduced, but the device complexity and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecompactionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The implement uses its existing movement and weight to drive the tillage elements through the soil, making the compaction relief self-powered without requiring additional engines, motors, or complex drive mechanisms that would increase device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Object-affected harmful factors

If tracks are used instead of wheels to reduce compaction, then the compaction is reduced, but the maneuverability and travel speed are degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecompactionVSAvoidmaneuverability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tillage device is attached as a separate, removable module behind the implement wheels, allowing the main implement to retain its wheeled configuration for good maneuverability while the segmented tillage elements provide compaction relief in the wheel tracks without requiring track conversion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Effectively reduces soil compaction while maintaining the machinery's efficiency and maneuverability, improving plant yield and health without increasing drag or requiring additional passes, and is cost-effective and easy to install on existing equipment.

Implementation Method 1

a tillage device positioned behind the weight-carrying wheels of agricultural machinery, featuring a moving linkage that raises and lowers into the soil to fracture and decompress compacted layers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS10362721B2Tillage device for agricultural machinery or implements to reduce compaction caused by wheels in a field

Publication Date: 2019.07.30 AGRI CONCEPTS

AI summary

A system for tilling compression marks formed in a field by wheels of agricultural machinery the system including a first roller assembly having a plurality of blade assemblies positioned in spaced relation to one another. The first roller assembly rotatably connected to a swing arm which moves the first roller assembly between a disengaged position, where the roller assembly does not penetrate the soil, and an engaged position where the roller assembly does penetrate and till the soil. The first roller assembly is positioned behind and in alignment with a first wheel of the agricultural machinery such that the first roller assembly tills the compression mark formed by the first wheel.