Tillage Tool Levelness Detection via Load Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tillage implements often suffer from unlevel ground engaging tools due to height variations in fields, leading to uneven soil cultivation, increased wear on tools, and potential damage from deeper penetration into impediments.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using sensors to monitor the load on ground engaging tools, comparing data from multiple tool assemblies to determine if they are level, and adjusting the orientation or downforce to maintain optimal penetration depth and prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ground engaging tools are configured to penetrate soil to a particular depth, then soil cultivation effectiveness is improved, but tool wear increases and damage from impediments occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the actual penetration depth of each ground engaging tool using sensors and compares it to the target depth. When deviations are detected, the controller automatically adjusts the tool position or orientation to maintain optimal penetration depth, preventing both excessive wear and damage from impediments while ensuring effective soil cultivation.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground engaging tools are made dynamically adjustable through automated positioning mechanisms that can modify tool orientation and penetration depth in real-time based on field conditions, allowing the system to adapt to varying soil conditions while maintaining optimal operation parameters.
2Adaptability or versatility
If ground engaging tools are made adjustable to accommodate height variation, then adaptability to field conditions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tillage implement is divided into multiple independently controllable tool assemblies, each equipped with its own sensors and adjustment mechanisms. This segmentation allows individual tools to be adjusted independently based on local field conditions, improving adaptability while keeping each individual adjustment system relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs automated sensors and controllers that automatically detect and correct tool levelness without requiring manual intervention. The tools self-adjust their orientation and penetration depth based on real-time feedback from sensors, reducing the need for complex manual adjustment mechanisms.
3Device complexity
If manual monitoring of tool levelness is used, then device complexity is minimized, but productivity is reduced due to frequent re-adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors tool penetration depth and levelness using sensors integrated into each tool assembly, providing real-time feedback to the controller. This automated feedback loop eliminates the need for manual monitoring and enables continuous optimization of tool performance without interrupting the tillage operation, significantly improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical monitoring and adjustment methods with automated electronic sensing and control systems. Sensors detect tool position and penetration depth, and electronic controllers automatically initiate corrections, substituting human operation with automated systems that maintain continuous productivity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system (100) for detecting the levelness of ground engaging tools of a tillage implement (10) including an agricultural implement (10) including a frame (28) and tool assemblies supported relative to the frame. The tool assemblies each include a toolbar (46) coupled to the frame (28) and one or more ground engaging tools coupled to the toolbar (46). The system further includes sensors (60, 60A, 60B) coupled to two of the tool assemblies and configured to capture data (136) indicative of a load acting on the one or more ground engaging tools of the tool assemblies. Additionally, the system includes a controller (128) configured to monitor the data (136) received from the sensors (60A, 60B) and compare at least one monitored value associated with the load acting on the ground engaging tool(s) of each of the tool assemblies. Moreover, the controller (128) is further configured to identify the ground engaging tool(s) are not level when the monitored value(s) differ by a predetermined threshold value.