Tillage Implement Event Detection for Plugging and Damage Checks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Monitoring the health and function of tillage implements is challenging due to visibility issues caused by soil and dust, which limits the effectiveness of sensors in autonomous agricultural operations, and plugging or damage can occur without immediate detection.
Innovation Solution
A method involving sensors to detect tillage events, generate representations of tillage elements engaged and disengaged from the soil, and analyze these representations to determine plugging or damage conditions, allowing for corrective actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are used to monitor tillage implement health in autonomous operations, then detection capability is improved, but visibility is blocked by soil and dust causing sensor ineffectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting tillage events through operating parameters (vibration, power consumption, ground speed) before visual inspection is needed. This allows the system to identify potential plugging or damage issues early, then selectively activate sensors only when necessary, bypassing the visibility limitation caused by continuous dust and soil exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses intermediary indicators (operating parameters such as vibration sensors, power consumption data, and ground speed measurements) to detect tillage events indirectly. Rather than directly visualizing the tillage elements through blocked sensors, the system mediates detection through these proxy measurements, then uses image capture only when anomalies are detected.
2Reliability
If continuous visual monitoring of tillage elements is attempted, then plugging detection is improved, but operational efficiency decreases due to constant operator attention
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring operating parameters (vibration, power consumption, ground speed) and automatically comparing them against expected ranges. When deviations indicate potential plugging or damage, the system provides feedback by capturing images and alerting operators only when necessary, rather than requiring constant visual monitoring. This maintains high reliability for detecting issues while preserving operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service monitoring by automatically detecting tillage events through its sensors and processing operating parameters. The system serves itself by identifying when inspection is needed, capturing relevant images, and determining when plugging or damage has occurred, thereby eliminating the need for continuous operator attention and maintaining both reliability and productivity.
3Measurement precision
If sensors operate continuously to capture tillage element status, then detection accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by operating sensors discontinuously based on detected tillage events. Instead of continuous operation, sensors are activated periodically only when operating parameters indicate a potential issue (such as abnormal vibration or power consumption patterns). This event-driven periodic sensing maintains detection accuracy for critical issues while dramatically reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating an implement carrying tillage elements in an agricultural field includes traversing the field with the implement while the tillage elements engage soil of the field, detecting a tillage event based on an operating parameter, recording a location of the tillage event with at least one computer, stopping the implement within the field in response to the tillage event, and generating a first representation of the tillage elements engaged with the soil. The first representation is generated with information from at least one sensor. The tillage elements are lifted to disengage the tillage elements from the soil, and a second representation of the tillage elements disengaged from the soil is generated. The implement is backed rearward through the field with the tillage elements disengaged from the soil, and a third representation of a portion of the soil worked by the tillage elements is generated.