Agricultural Wing Actuation Control via Wheel Load Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for controlling the actuation of wing sections in agricultural implements during unfolding operations lack accurate feedback, leading to inefficiencies and issues with positioning relative to the ground.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize wheel load sensors to monitor the contact of wheels with the ground, adjusting hydraulic fluid flow parameters to control the actuation rate of wing sections, ensuring precise positioning and efficient unfolding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional folding systems utilize proximity switches or potentiometers to monitor the position of wing sections, then the system structure is simple, but the feedback accuracy is insufficient for accurately controlling wing actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system that continuously monitors wheel load during unfolding operations and uses this information to adjust hydraulic fluid flow parameters. The controller receives feedback from load cells or weight sensors on the wheels and dynamically modifies actuator performance to achieve precise ground contact positioning, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity by introducing intelligent feedback rather than simply increasing sensor quantity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical position monitoring systems (proximity switches, potentiometers) with a load-based detection system that measures wheel load to infer ground contact status. This substitution uses force measurement instead of mechanical position sensing, achieving higher accuracy in determining when wings have contacted the ground without requiring complex mechanical position feedback mechanisms
2Speed
If hydraulic fluid flow parameters are maintained at high levels during unfolding, then the actuation speed is fast, but the positioning precision upon ground contact deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic control by continuously adjusting hydraulic fluid flow parameters based on real-time wheel load feedback. The system transitions from high flow rates during the main unfolding phase to reduced flow rates near ground contact, creating a dynamic actuation profile that optimizes both speed and precision. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to operate at different performance levels at different stages of the unfolding process
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary high-speed actuation to quickly move wing sections toward the ground, then detects approaching ground contact through wheel load monitoring and prepares for precision positioning by reducing flow parameters in advance. This preliminary action followed by corrective action allows the system to achieve both fast overall actuation and precise final positioning
3Manufacturing precision
If the actuation rate is reduced to improve positioning accuracy, then the positioning precision improves, but the overall productivity of the unfolding operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic or phase-based actuation control where different flow parameters are applied at different stages of the unfolding process. High flow rates are used during the initial and intermediate phases to maintain fast actuation, while reduced flow rates are applied only during the final approach to ground contact when precision is critical. This periodic variation in actuation intensity resolves the contradiction by limiting precision-critical low-speed operation to only the necessary final phase
4Ease of operation
If conventional systems rely on detecting relative positions between wing sections and center frame, then the control system is simple, but the direct indication of ground positioning is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wheel load as an intermediary measurement that indirectly provides ground positioning information. Rather than directly sensing ground contact or maintaining complex relative position monitoring, the system uses wheel load from load cells or weight sensors as a mediator to infer when wings have contacted the ground. This intermediary approach maintains control simplicity while recovering ground positioning information through force-based 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
The system provides accurate control over wing section actuation, reducing the actuation rate once wheels contact the ground, resulting in more efficient and accurate unfolding operations.
Implementation Method 1
regulating, with one or more computing devices, a supply of hydraulic fluid to a wing actuator coupled to a wing section of the agricultural implement to pivot the wing section relative to a center frame section
Implementation Method 2
monitoring, with the one or more computing devices, a wheel load associated with at least one wheel of the wing section as the wing section is being moved towards the work position and detecting, with the one or more computing devices, when the at least one wheel of the wing section contacts the ground based at least in part on the monitored wheel load
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling the actuation of wing sections of an agricultural implement may include regulating a supply of hydraulic fluid to a wing actuator coupled to a wing section to pivot the wing section relative to a center frame section of the implement from a transport position towards a work position. The method may also include monitoring a wheel load associated with at least one wheel of the wing section as the wing section is being moved towards the work position and detecting when the wheel(s) of the wing section contacts the ground based at least in part on the monitored wheel load. In addition, the method may include adjusting one or more flow parameters of the supply of hydraulic fluid to the wing actuator to reduce an actuation rate at which the wing section is being pivoted after detecting that wheel(s) has contacted the ground.