Tillage Implement Tool Self-Cleaning via Sensor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tillage implements, such as disc harrows, experience significant material accumulation of crop residue and soil/mud on their ground-engaging tools, which reduces their effectiveness during operations.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a controller with sensors to monitor material accumulation and execute control actions, such as adjusting the penetration depth or actuating tools in reverse/vibration, to reduce material accumulation based on predefined thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ground-engaging tools are used for tillage operations, then soil and crop residue are effectively tilled and mixed, but material accumulates on the tools reducing their effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational parameters of ground-engaging tools by monitoring material accumulation in real-time and automatically executing control actions such as changing penetration depth, rotating tools in reverse, or applying vibration when thresholds are exceeded, thereby maintaining consistent tool performance throughout the tillage operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a closed-loop feedback mechanism where sensors continuously monitor material accumulation on ground-engaging tools, compare readings against predefined thresholds, and automatically trigger corrective actions to remove accumulated material, ensuring sustained tillage effectiveness without manual intervention
2Duration of action of moving object
If material accumulation is allowed to occur during tillage, then continuous operation is maintained, but tool effectiveness significantly reduces
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic control actions to remove material accumulation at scheduled intervals based on monitored accumulation levels. When sensors detect that material buildup reaches predefined thresholds, the system automatically executes periodic corrective actions such as reverse rotation or vibration to clear the tools, allowing continuous operation while maintaining effectiveness
3Reliability
If manual cleaning of ground-engaging tools is performed, then material accumulation is removed, but operation time is lost and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables ground-engaging tools to self-clean through automated control actions triggered by sensor monitoring. When material accumulation reaches critical thresholds, the system automatically executes corrective actions such as reverse rotation, vibration, or penetration depth adjustments to remove accumulated material, eliminating the need for manual cleaning and associated operation interruptions
Data Source
AI summary
A method for reducing material accumulation relative to ground-engaging tools of a tillage implement may include monitoring, with a computing device, an accumulation parameter as a tillage operation is being performed, wherein the accumulation parameter provides an indication of material accumulation relative to a plurality of ground-engaging tools of the tillage implement. The method may also include comparing, with the computing device, the accumulation parameter to a material accumulation threshold, wherein the material accumulation threshold is indicative of a given degree of material accumulation relative to the plurality ground-engaging tools. In addition, based on the comparison between the accumulation parameter and the material accumulation threshold, the method may include controlling, with the computing device, an operation of at least one component of the tillage implement to execute a control action for reducing an amount of the material accumulation relative to the plurality of ground-engaging tools.