Ground-Engaging Tool Force Control for High-Cellulose Crop Residue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural implements face challenges in effectively managing ground-engaging tools due to varying crop residue cellulose content, particularly with corn stalks, which are rigid and prone to wrapping around tools, affecting operation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a vision-based sensor to determine crop residue cellulose content, adjusting the force applied by actuators on ground-engaging tools like disk blades based on this content to ensure proper residue breakdown.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed force is applied to ground-engaging tools, then the structure is simple, but the system cannot adapt to varying cellulose content of crop residue
Solution Approach 1:
The vision-based sensor detects and analyzes crop residue characteristics (cellulose content, size, shape) before the ground-engaging tool encounters them, allowing the computing system to pre-determine the optimal force level. This preliminary detection and decision-making enables adaptive force application without requiring complex real-time feedback loops during tool operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a feedback mechanism where the vision-based sensor continuously monitors crop residue properties, the computing system processes this visual information to determine cellulose content, and the actuator adjusts the force applied to the ground-engaging tool based on this feedback. This closed-loop control enables the system to adapt to varying residue conditions while maintaining manageable complexity through automated decision-making.
2Productivity
If high force is continuously applied to break up residue, then residue is properly sized, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different force levels to different locations along the field based on local crop residue characteristics. The vision-based sensor identifies areas with high cellulose content or larger residue pieces that require higher force, while areas with smaller, lower cellulose content residue receive reduced force. This localized quality approach ensures proper residue sizing only where needed, optimizing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the force parameter applied to the ground-engaging tool based on detected residue properties. Instead of maintaining a constant high force, the actuator adjusts the force level in real-time according to the cellulose content and size of crop residue detected by the vision sensor, thereby achieving effective residue breaking with minimized energy consumption.
3Productivity
If high force is applied to high cellulose residue, then residue is broken up effectively, but tool wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system makes the force application dynamic rather than static. The actuator continuously adjusts the force applied to the ground-engaging tool based on real-time detection of residue characteristics. High force is applied only when high cellulose content or large residue pieces are detected, while lower force is applied during normal conditions, thereby preventing unnecessary tool wear while maintaining effective residue breaking when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The vision-based sensor periodically scans the field ahead to detect crop residue characteristics, and the computing system periodically updates the force command to the actuator based on these detections. This periodic monitoring and adjustment allows the system to apply high force only during necessary intervals when challenging residue is encountered, rather than continuously, thereby protecting tool durability while maintaining productivity.
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
Enhances the efficiency of agricultural implements by ensuring crop residue is properly sized and prevents wrapping, improving operation and performance across varying field conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a vision-based sensor configured to generate data indicative of a cellulose content of crop residue
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling the operation of ground-engaging tools of an agricultural implement includes a ground-engaging tool configured to be moved through the soil of a field. Furthermore, the system includes an actuator configured to apply a force on the ground-engaging tool. Additionally, the system includes a vision-based sensor configured to generate data indicative of a cellulose content of crop residue present within a field of view of the vision-based sensor. Moreover, the system includes a computing system communicatively coupled to the vision-based sensor and configured to determine the cellulose content of the crop residue based on the vision-based sensor data. Additionally, the computing system is configured to control the operation of the actuator based on the determined cellulose content.