Agricultural Tractor Implement Detection via Static Negative Force
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting a ground-engaging attachment on an agricultural tractor's three-point linkage only work when tensile forces occur during soil cultivation, limiting universal detection capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A method using sensor arrangements at the lower attachment points of the three-point linkage to determine tractive forces, identifying a ground-engaging attachment by a static negative value in the tractive force curve when the lower links are raised, allowing continuous detection and categorization based on mass ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a force measuring pin is used to detect ground-engaging implement presence, then detection is possible during soil cultivation, but universal detection capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from tensile force magnitude to the sign of tensile force (negative values indicating implement presence). This allows detection during both cultivation and transport phases, achieving universal detection capability while maintaining reliability through the distinct force signature.
2Measurement precision
If the sensor arrangement only detects tensile forces during soil cultivation, then detection accuracy is sufficient for draft control, but detection coverage is limited to cultivation operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection during the transport phase (before cultivation begins) by identifying negative tensile force values. This preliminary action enables the system to recognize implement presence early, allowing subsequent cultivation operations to proceed with accurate draft control from the start.
3Speed
If the three-point linkage is in raised transport position, then tractor mobility is improved, but attachment weight creates detectable force that can be misinterpreted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional interpretation logic: instead of assuming zero or positive force means no implement, it recognizes that negative force values (caused by attachment weight in transport position) are the actual indicator of implement presence. This inversion resolves the ambiguity between mobility mode and implement detection.
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 universal detection of ground-engaging attachments, facilitating active vibration damping, ballasting, and precise height control of tillage tools, enhancing tractor performance and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor arrangement is provided at at least one of the lower attachment points, by means of which a tensile force occurring at the lower link is determined
Implementation Method 2
A control unit concludes that a ground-engaging attachment is attached to the lower links if it detects that the tractive force curve approaches a static negative value ΔF when the lower links are raised
Implementation Method 3
The essentially static or constant negative value Δ F observed in the tractive force curve is caused by the weight force components of the attachment acting in the raised transport position via the lower links in the direction of the lower attachment points
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
In a method for detecting a ground-engaging attachment (12) on an agricultural tractor (14), the agricultural tractor (14) has a rear-mounted three-point linkage (30) with left and right lower links (46a, 46b) which are mounted vertically pivotably at lower attachment points of the three-point linkage (30) and can be raised and lowered by means of a lifting gear, wherein a sensor arrangement (20a, 20b) is provided at at least one of the lower attachment points, by means of which sensor arrangement a tractive force (F) occurring at the lower link (46a, 46b) is determined. In this case, a control unit (16) concludes that a ground-engaging attachment (12) attached to the lower links (46a, 46b) is present if it detects that the tractive force curve approaches a static negative value when the lower links (46a, 46b) are raised.