Tilting Blade Row Weeder with Hydraulic Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing row weeders are ineffective in cutting weeds growing between plants in rows, as they are designed to target weeds between rows and lack the ability to adjust for varying plant spacings and speeds, leading to incomplete weeding and variable working depths.
Innovation Solution
A tilting blade weeder with a hydraulic cylinder of double-sided action connected via pneumatic hoses to an electro-distributor, controlled by a controller and sensors for weeder speed and plant distance, featuring a four-bar linkage mechanism that allows for precise cutting between plants with adjustable speed and spacing, enabling two blades to cut weeds from both sides of the row.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional row weeders with fixed blades are used, then weeds between rows can be cut, but weeds growing between plants in rows cannot be effectively cut and working depth varies
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is made dynamically adjustable through a tilting mechanism controlled by a hydraulic cylinder. The blade can change its angle relative to the horizontal plane (0-30 degrees) and its position along the longitudinal axis, allowing it to adapt to varying plant spacings and maintain consistent working depth despite terrain variations or speed changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the blade's geometric parameters (tilt angle and longitudinal position) in response to detected plant spacing and weeder speed. Sensors provide feedback about operating conditions, and the control system adjusts blade parameters accordingly to maintain optimal cutting performance and consistent working depth across different conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed blade position is used, then device structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to varying plant spacings and operating speeds
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors detect plant spacing and weeder operating speed, providing feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts the blade's tilt angle and longitudinal position to optimize cutting performance for the current operating conditions, enabling adaptation without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade assembly serves multiple functions: it cuts weeds between rows, cuts weeds between plants in rows, and automatically adapts to various plant spacings and operating speeds. This multi-functionality is achieved through the combined tilting mechanism and longitudinal adjustment capability controlled by the hydraulic system.
3Productivity
If single blade cutting from one side is used, then device structure is simple, but complete weeding between plants in rows cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The weeding task is segmented into two sides of the plant row, with one blade handling each side. Each blade is independently controlled by its own hydraulic cylinder and tilt mechanism, allowing simultaneous cutting on both sides and achieving complete weeding between plants in the row.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The tilting blade of row weeder mounted to the weeding section of the weeder is characterised in that to the bracket 1 there is mounted the extension arm 2, and under it the slidable disc 3, which by means of the double rotatable and slidable kinematic pair 5, is connected with the handle of the blade 4, and its one end is rotatably connected with the extension arm 2 whereas its other end is rotatably connected with the arm 9 of the blade 10, and the arm 9 is connected rotatably with one end of the connector 11, which the other end is connected with the bracket 2, whereas the slidable disc 3, by means of the clutch 6 is connected with the piston 7 of the hydraulic cylinder of double-sided action 8, connected by the pneumatic hoses with the electro-distributor 15, controlled by a controller 14, the movement speed sensor of the weeder speed.