Variable Rate Spring Coulter Assembly for Soil Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disc openers in agricultural settings face challenges in maintaining consistent trench depth across varying soil conditions due to the need for manual spring replacement, as soft springs are insufficient for hard soil and hard springs are inadequate for soft soil, leading to inefficiencies in seeding and fertilizing operations.
Innovation Solution
A coulter assembly equipped with a variable rate spring assembly that includes a stiffer and softer portion, adjustable via a hydraulic actuator, allowing for automatic adjustment of down force to suit both hard and soft soil conditions, eliminating the need for manual spring changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a soft spring is mounted to the down pressure assembly, then the disc can follow the contours of soft soil terrain, but the spring does not provide sufficient force to establish the desired trench in hard soil
Solution Approach 1:
The spring assembly transitions from a static spring configuration to a dynamic variable rate spring that can change its spring rate during operation. The variable rate spring allows the system to adapt its down force characteristics dynamically, providing higher force for hard soil penetration while maintaining terrain-following capability on soft soil.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter of the spring assembly by using a variable rate spring with varying spring rates along its length. This allows the down force characteristic to be adjusted based on operational needs, resolving the contradiction between needing high force for hard soil and following contours on soft soil.
2Force
If a hard spring is mounted to the down pressure assembly, then sufficient force is provided to establish the desired trench in hard soil, but the disc cannot follow the contours of soft soil terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The variable rate spring enables the system to dynamically adjust its characteristics, being stiff when high force is needed for hard soil penetration and more compliant when following soft soil contours, thus resolving the contradiction between force provision and terrain adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
By using a variable rate spring with different spring rates at different positions, the system can provide high down force when needed while maintaining the ability to follow terrain contours, effectively changing the force parameter based on operational conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual spring replacement is performed based on soil conditions, then appropriate down force can be established for different soil types, but the process is inconvenient and significantly increases the duration of seeding, planting and fertilizing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The variable rate spring assembly is designed to automatically adapt to different soil conditions without requiring manual intervention or spring replacement. The system serves itself by providing the appropriate down force characteristic based on the operational context, eliminating the time-consuming manual adjustment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The variable rate spring assembly performs multiple functions - it can provide both high down force for hard soil and terrain-following capability for soft soil with a single configuration. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple spring replacements, significantly reducing operational time while maintaining adaptability to different soil conditions.
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
The variable rate spring assembly enables consistent trench depth maintenance across different soil types, reducing operational duration by automatically adjusting force based on terrain conditions, thus enhancing efficiency in seeding and fertilizing processes.
Implementation Method 1
The spring assembly includes a variable rate spring
Data Source
AI summary
A coulter assembly for an agricultural implement. The coulter assembly includes a support structure and a disc blade rotatably mounted to the support structure. The coulter assembly also includes a spring assembly coupled to the support structure and configured to urge the disc blade into soil. The spring assembly includes a variable rate spring.