Tractor Control Unit Driving Signals for Implement Elements
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural machine control systems require complex and costly local driver units on implements to generate driving signals, which complicates the operation and control of functional elements.
Innovation Solution
The method involves receiving user inputs through a user terminal on a tractor, generating driving signals in the tractor control unit, and transmitting these signals to a local driver unit on the implement, allowing the tractor control unit to directly drive functional implement elements, thereby simplifying the configuration and implementation of the local driver unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If local driver units on implements are configured to generate driving signals independently, then operational autonomy of implement elements is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The signal generation function is extracted from the implement-side local driver units and relocated to the tractor-side control system. The local driver units retain only the simpler signal reception and execution functions, while the complex driving signal generation is performed centrally by the tractor control unit using data from sensors and user inputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The tractor control unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it receives user inputs, processes sensor data from both tractor and implement, generates driving signals for implement elements, and coordinates tractor operations. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate signal generation capabilities in each implement controller.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex local driver units are implemented on implements, then functional control capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expensive signal generation hardware and software are extracted from multiple implement units and consolidated into a single tractor-based control system. This reduces the bill of materials for implement controllers while maintaining full functional control capability through centralized signal generation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of equipping each implement with full signal generation capabilities, the system uses the tractor control unit to generate and transmit appropriate driving signals to multiple implement elements. The implement controllers serve as simplified interfaces that receive and execute commands from the central tractor controller.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent control units are used in the system, then operational flexibility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control functions for multiple implement elements are merged into a single integrated control system located on the tractor. This centralized architecture reduces the number of independent control units while maintaining operational flexibility through software-based control of individual elements via the ISOBUS communication standard.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention refers to a method for operating an agricultural machine having a tractor (1), an implement (2) trailed or carried by the tractor (1), an user terminal (7) provided on the tractor (1), and a machine control system connected to the user terminal (7), the method comprising, in a first operation: receiving a first user input through the user terminal (7), the first user input indicating a first operation task to be executed by a functional implement element (12.1, 12.2) provided on the implement (2); receiving the first user input in the tractor control unit (8); in response to the first user input, generating first driving signals by the tractor control unit (8), the first driving signals configured to driving operation of the functional implement element (12.1, 12.2) for executing the first operation task; transmitting, through a data communication assembly (6), the first driving signals from the tractor control unit (8) to a local driver unit (10.1, 10.2) provided on the implement (2) and assigned to the functional implement element (12.1, 12.2); and, in response to receiving the first driving signals, driving the functional implement element (12.1, 12.2) by the local driver unit (10.1, 10.2), and, the functional implement element (12.1, 12.2) executing the first operation task. Further, an agricultural machine is provided.