Agricultural Working Component Control for Fast Motion and Precise Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural machine control systems face challenges in maintaining a constant oil flow or speed of motion drives, especially when operating on uneven ground or when precise positioning is required, leading to compromised operation and safety.

Innovation Solution

A control system for agricultural machines that allows operators to change oil flow without releasing their hand from the control device, utilizing a user-operable control device with distinct operating ranges and a control unit that adjusts speed in discrete steps to achieve fast movement and precise control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a high oil flow rate is used to enable fast movement of the motion drive, then the speed of the working component is improved, but the precision of positioning deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of motion driveVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the oil flow rate based on the operational phase. During positioning phases, the control unit restricts oil flow to enable precise control, while during movement phases, it allows higher flow rates for fast operation. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between speed and positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit changes the oil flow parameter depending on the control direction and operational context. When the control device is moved in a first control direction (positioning), the oil flow is restricted. When moved in a second control direction (movement), the oil flow is not restricted, enabling fast operation. This parameter change strategy allows the system to optimize between speed and precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the oil flow is restricted to enable precise positioning, then the positioning precision is improved, but the speed of the motion drive deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidspeed of motion drive
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the oil flow rate based on the operational phase. During positioning phases, the control unit restricts oil flow to enable precise control, while during movement phases, it allows higher flow rates for fast operation. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between speed and positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit changes the oil flow parameter depending on the control direction and operational context. When the control device is moved in a first control direction (positioning), the oil flow is restricted. When moved in a second control direction (movement), the oil flow is not restricted, enabling fast operation. This parameter change strategy allows the system to optimize between speed and precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the operator releases the hand from the control device to change oil flow settings, then the oil flow can be adjusted, but the operation continuity and safety deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil flow adjustment capabilityVSAvoidoperation safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically adjusts oil flow settings based on signals from the control device without requiring manual intervention. The control unit receives control signals and autonomously modifies the oil flow parameters, allowing the operator to maintain continuous control of the working component while the system adapts to different operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously monitors the control device position and operational context, using this feedback to automatically adjust oil flow settings. This closed-loop control allows the system to adapt oil flow in real-time based on whether positioning or movement is required, eliminating the need for manual settings changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4494435A1An agricultural vehicle with a working component and a method for controlling the working component
Publication Date: 2025.01.22 AGCO INT GMBH
  • EP4494435A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4494435A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4494435A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A vehicle has a working component (22, 23, 122) and a user-operable control device (35, 36, 38, 40) for controlling the working component. A method is used for controlling the working component (22, 23, 122) by determining a first speed demand dependent on a first current operating range of the user-operable control device (35, 36, 38, 40) out of first and second operating ranges (RAB1, RBC1), and controlling a speed of a first motion drive (54, 70, 130) connected with the working component according to the first speed demand. The first speed demand changes in a first discrete step (254, 266) in response to a movement of the user-operable control device (35, 36, 38, 40) from the first operating range (RAB1) to the second operating range (RBC1).