Tillage Implement Sectional Down Force Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural tillage implements face issues with ground engaging components not maintaining consistent and uniform contact with the ground due to terrain and speed variations, leading to inconsistent soil treatment and conditioning.
Innovation Solution
A tillage implement design featuring a main frame with pivotally coupled wing sections, sub-frames, gauge wheel assemblies, and actuators that allow for controlled elevation and force application to ensure consistent ground contact, using a controller to pivot sub-frames between operating and transport positions, ensuring uniform pressure and independent force control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ground engaging components rely only on their weight to contact the ground, then the implement structure remains simple, but the contact consistency and uniformity deteriorates due to terrain and speed variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the downforce on ground engaging components adjustable and controllable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts actuator operation to maintain consistent contact force despite terrain and speed variations, transforming a static weight-dependent system into a dynamic controlled system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control where the controller monitors the operation of actuators and adjusts them in real-time to maintain consistent downforce on ground engaging components. This closed-loop control ensures reliable ground contact by continuously responding to changing conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If ground engaging components bounce due to terrain and speed variations, then the implement can adapt to rough terrain, but the soil treatment uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of downforce from a fixed value (component weight) to a controllable variable through actuators. The controller adjusts the downforce parameter in real-time to compensate for terrain variations and maintain uniform soil treatment, while still allowing adaptation to different ground conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sections are coupled to perform multiple functions, then the implement versatility improves, but the control complexity of each section deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by coupling multiple sections that can perform different functions (tilling, leveling, seedbed preparation) while each section is equipped with its own actuator and controller. This allows each section to be independently controlled despite the overall versatility of the implement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the implement into multiple independently controllable sections, each with its own actuator and control system. This segmentation allows individual control of each section's ground engaging components, simplifying the control complexity despite the overall versatility achieved through multiple functions.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural tillage implement including a main frame section having a pull hitch tube extending in a travel direction and a plurality of pivotally coupled wing sections coupled with the main frame section. Each of the plurality of wing sections has at least one pivotal sub-frame. A hydraulic actuator is connected between the wing frame and the sub-frame to urge the sub-frame between an operating position and an elevated transport position. An actuator controller is configured to apply a predetermined force of the sub-frame towards the ground independently of other sub-frames so as to provide a more uniform tillage of the ground.