Tillage Disc Damage Detection Using Soil Density Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

It is difficult for operators to detect when discs of agricultural implements become damaged or missing during tillage operations, which can render the implement ineffective.

Innovation Solution

A system and method using soil density sensors to monitor the condition of discs by measuring pre- and post-operation soil densities, analyzing these densities to determine if discs are damaged or missing, and initiating control actions if necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If soil density sensors and computing systems are added to monitor disc conditions, then the reliability of detecting damaged or missing discs is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisc condition detection reliabilityVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical inspection methods with electromagnetic sensing technology. Soil density sensors use electromagnetic fields to detect changes in soil density caused by disc damage or absence, eliminating the need for physical inspection mechanisms and improving detection reliability while managing complexity through sensor-based automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces soil density as an intermediary parameter to indirectly detect disc conditions. Instead of directly monitoring disc integrity, the system measures soil density changes caused by disc damage or absence, using the soil as a mediator to infer disc status and simplify the detection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If real-time monitoring of disc conditions is implemented, then the productivity of agricultural operations is improved by enabling timely corrective actions, but the loss of time in detecting disc issues increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveagricultural operation productivityVSAvoidtime to detect disc damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary detection of disc conditions during the tillage operation itself, before the damage affects overall operational effectiveness. By continuously monitoring soil density in real-time, the system identifies disc issues as they occur, enabling corrective actions to be taken immediately rather than after significant time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where soil density sensor data is continuously analyzed by a computing system to detect disc conditions. This real-time feedback loop allows the system to identify damaged or missing discs immediately and trigger corrective actions, maintaining productivity by eliminating detection delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 real-time detection and notification of damaged or missing discs, allowing for timely corrective actions to maintain implement effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

a soil density sensor configured to generate data associated with a post-operation soil density of soil positioned aft of the disc relative to a direction of travel of the agricultural implement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSoil density measurement:

Data Source

PatentUS12457916B2Systems and methods for monitoring disc conditions of agricultural implements using soil density measurements

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 BLUE LEAF I P INC

AI summary

In one aspect, a system for monitoring disc conditions of an agricultural implement includes a disc configured to penetrate through a soil surface during the performance of an agricultural operation, and a soil density sensor configured to generate data associated with a post-operation soil density of soil positioned aft of the disc relative to a direction of travel of the agricultural implement. In addition, the system includes a computing system communicatively coupled with the soil density sensor. The computing system is configured to monitor the post-operation soil density based on the data received from the soil density sensor, and determine an operating condition of the disc based at least in part on the post-operation soil density.