Tillage Vibration Sensing for Real-Time Soil State Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural technologies lack a dynamic, real-time method to determine the mechanical state of the soil, which is crucial for optimizing tillage and sowing processes, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to improper equipment selection and potential breakages.

Innovation Solution

A system using sensors on agricultural machines to measure vibratory signals during tillage operations, processing these signals in the frequency domain to determine soil hardness and plasticity, and adjusting equipment parameters in real-time based on these measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional sensors are used to determine soil state, then data collection is possible, but real-time mechanical state determination is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoil mechanical state determinationVSAvoidreal-time response capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical soil sampling and chemical analysis methods with a vibration-based sensing system. Sensors mounted on tillage elements detect vibratory signals generated during soil interaction, which are then processed to determine mechanical soil state parameters in real-time, eliminating the time delay inherent in traditional sampling and laboratory analysis methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces vibratory signals as an intermediary between the tillage element and soil mechanical properties. The vibration sensors detect these signals, which serve as a mediator carrying information about soil hardness, plasticity, and other mechanical characteristics, enabling indirect but real-time measurement without direct soil sampling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If general soil condition data is collected, then broad land assessment is possible, but specific mechanical parameters for equipment optimization are not obtained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment configuration optimizationVSAvoidmechanical state information

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by mounting sensors directly on individual tillage elements rather than using general land sampling. This enables detection of localized mechanical soil conditions at the exact point where equipment interacts with the soil, providing spatially-resolved information about soil hardness and plasticity that can be used to optimize equipment configuration for specific areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the physical vibration signals generated during soil-tillage interaction into quantitative mechanical state parameters. By analyzing frequency, amplitude, and other characteristics of the vibratory signals, the system converts raw mechanical interactions into interpretable data about soil properties, enabling equipment optimization based on specific mechanical parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If tillage operations proceed without real-time soil state data, then continuous work is maintained, but equipment wear increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetillage task completion efficiencyVSAvoidequipment durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback loop where vibration sensors continuously monitor soil mechanical state during tillage operations, and this information is used to adjust equipment configuration in real-time. The system provides feedback about soil conditions to the control system, which then optimizes tillage element settings, enabling continuous operation while preventing excessive equipment wear through adaptive configuration adjustments.

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 optimized tillage and sowing by providing real-time data on soil conditions, reducing equipment wear, energy consumption, and operational costs while enhancing the lifespan of agricultural tools.

Implementation Method 1

obtain, by sensor means arranged in a tillage element of an agricultural machine, measurements of a vibratory signal, wherein the vibratory signal is produced as a result of a tillage operation of the agricultural machine on the agricultural land

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS12442743B2Method and system for determining the mechanical state of an agricultural land

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 BELLOTA AGRISOLUTIONS

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method and a system for determining the mechanical state of an agricultural land, wherein sensors, arranged in a tillage element of an agricultural machine, obtain measurements of a vibratory signal which is the product of the tillage operation of the agricultural machine on the land. Communication means send said measurements in data packets to a processor module. The processor module transfers the measurements to the frequency domain and calculates energy measurements in order to finally determine the mechanical state of the agricultural land, based on the analysis of said calculated energies, wherein the mechanical state determined comprises a degree of hardness and a degree of plasticity.