Independent Wheel Actuation for Tillage Depth Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural tillage implements lack an effective mechanism for independent depth control of tilling elements across different sections, leading to uneven tillage and challenges in transporting wider equipment.
Innovation Solution
Agricultural tillage implement with foldable wing sections and a control system that includes independent actuators for each wheel assembly, allowing for precise depth control of tilling elements in various sections, enabling both efficient field operation and reduced profile during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the implement is designed with wider width to increase working capacity, then productivity is improved, but the implement becomes difficult to transport and may not comply with regulatory dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The implement is divided into a main section and multiple foldable wing sections that can be independently folded inward. This segmentation allows the wide implement to be broken into compact segments for transport while maintaining full working width during field operations, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and transportability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wing sections are designed to be dynamically foldable between extended (working) and retracted (transport) positions. This dynamic configuration allows the implement to adapt its width based on operational mode, achieving both wide working capacity and compact transport dimensions.
2Device complexity
If the implement raises and lowers as an entire unit, then device complexity is reduced, but tillage uniformity across the implement width deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple independent depth control mechanisms, with each wing section having its own actuator and control capability. This allows independent adjustment of each section's depth, ensuring uniform tillage across the entire implement width while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
Each section of the implement is equipped with independent depth control, allowing local adjustment of tillage depth according to specific field conditions or implement width variations. This ensures consistent tillage quality across different sections while maintaining overall system simplicity through standardized modular components.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural tillage implement includes a main section including a hitch extending in a travel direction, a plurality of foldable wing sections coupled with the main section, a plurality of ground engaging tilling elements, a plurality of wheel assemblies and a control system. The tilling elements are coupled to the main section and wing sections. Each of the wheel assemblies include an actuator. The wheel assemblies include a first plurality of wheel assemblies associated with the main section and a second plurality of wheel assemblies associated with the plurality of wing sections. The actuators of the first plurality of wheel assemblies being independent of the actuators of the second plurality of wheel assemblies. The control system is configured to actuate the actuators to control a depth of tilling elements in each of the sections when the implement is in a field mode.