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BR-102020005860-B1 - Obstruction control for an agricultural implement.

BR102020005860B1BR 102020005860 B1BR102020005860 B1BR 102020005860B1BR-102020005860-B1

Abstract

An obstruction control system (10) for an agricultural implement (11) includes a sensor (32, 33, 34) configured to produce a sensor signal indicating obstruction of a ground-mating component (24, 26, 28) and a controller (38, 40, 58) having a processor (48, 60, 74) and a memory (50, 62, 75). The processor (48, 60, 74) is configured to receive the sensor signal indicating obstruction of the ground-mating component (24, 26, 28) from the sensor (32, 33, 34), determine if the obstruction exceeds a threshold value and, in response to the obstruction exceeding the threshold value, produce a monitoring signal to perform a monitoring operation, produce a control signal to perform a control operation, or both.

Inventors

  • DARIAN E. LANDOLT
  • Christopher Schoeny
  • Trevor STANHOPE

Assignees

  • CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC

Dates

Publication Date
20260317
Application Date
20200324
Priority Date
20190328

Claims (10)

  1. 1. Obstruction control system (10) for an agricultural implement (11), the obstruction control system (10) comprising: a sensor (32, 33, 34) configured to produce a sensor signal indicating obstruction of a ground-fitting component (24, 26, 28), wherein the sensor (32, 33, 34) is configured to detect obstruction of the ground-fitting component (24, 26, 28) by detecting a deformation in the ground-fitting component (24, 26, 28) or in a linkage (86, 92, 100) coupled to the ground-fitting component (24, 26, 28); a controller (38, 40, 58) comprising a processor (48, 60, 74) and a memory (50, 62, 75), CHARACTERIZED in that the processor (48, 60, 74) is configured to: receive the sensor signal indicating the obstruction of the component fitting with the ground (24, 26, 28) coming from the sensor (32, 33, 34); determine if the obstruction exceeds a threshold value; and in response to the obstruction exceeding the threshold value, produce a monitoring signal to perform a monitoring operation, produce a control signal to perform a control operation, or both.
  2. 2. Obstruction control system (10), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the monitoring operation comprises providing, in a user interface (36), an alert indicating the obstruction exceeding the threshold value.
  3. 3. Obstruction control system (10), according to claim 1 or 2, CHARACTERIZED in that the sensor (32, 33, 34) is configured to detect debris buildup, root ball lodging, rock lodging, or a combination thereof.
  4. 4. Obstruction control system (10), according to any one of claims 1 to 3, CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises an actuator (69, 70, 71) coupled to the ground-mounted component (24, 26, 28) and configured to move the ground-mounted component (24, 26, 28).
  5. 5. Obstruction control system (10), according to claim 4, CHARACTERIZED in that the control operation comprises the actuator (69, 70, 71) displacing the ground-fitting component (24, 26, 28).
  6. 6. Clogging control system (10), according to any one of claims 1 to 5, CHARACTERIZED in that the ground engagement component (24, 26, 28) comprises a closing system (28) configured to close a furrow (87) formed by the agricultural implement (11).
  7. 7. Clogging control system (10), according to claim 6, CHARACTERIZED in that the closing system (28) comprises a pair of closing discs (96) and a compacting wheel (98).
  8. 8. Obstruction control system (10), according to claim 6, CHARACTERIZED in that the closing system (28) comprises a pair of closing wheels.
  9. 9. Obstruction control system (10), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the controller (38, 40, 58) is configured to determine the threshold value based on a depth of the component's engagement with the ground (24, 26, 28).
  10. 10. Clogging control system (10), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the controller (38, 40, 58) is configured to determine the threshold value based on an orientation of the ground fitting component (24, 26, 28), one or more soil conditions, one or more soil properties, one or more residue conditions, one or more residue properties, weather conditions, a type of agricultural product applied by the agricultural implement (11), one or more environmental conditions, or a combination thereof.

Description

BACKGROUND [001] The disclosure relates in general to obstruction control for an agricultural implement. [002] Generally, agricultural implements are towed by a work vehicle, such as a tractor, or are included as part of a work vehicle. Agricultural implements generally contain particulate material, such as seeds, fertilizer, and/or other agricultural product, which is distributed on or within the soil using various methods. For example, certain implements form a furrow in the soil, deposit a seed in the furrow, and then close the furrow over the seed. Proper furrow formation and closure can enhance seed germination and crop production. In some instances, the agricultural implement may not properly form or close the furrow because of obstruction from components of the agricultural implement. For example, certain components may become obstructed by soil, mud, root balls, rocks, and other impediments that may hinder or prevent the proper operation of the components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION [003] Certain modalities commensurate in scope with the matter disclosed are summarized below. These modalities are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, and in particular these modalities are presented only to provide a summary of certain modalities disclosed. In fact, the present disclosure may encompass various forms that may be similar to or different from the modalities set forth below. [004] In certain embodiments, an obstruction control system for an agricultural implement includes a sensor configured to produce a sensor signal indicating obstruction of a component that engages with the ground and a controller having a processor and memory. The processor is configured to receive the sensor signal indicating obstruction of the component that engages with the ground from the sensor, determine if the obstruction exceeds a threshold value and, in response to the obstruction exceeding the threshold value, produce a monitoring signal to perform a monitoring operation, produce a control signal to perform a control operation, or both. DESIGNS [005] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which equal numbers represent equal parts for all the drawings, in which: [006] Figure 1 is a top view of an embodiment of a work vehicle and an agricultural implement arranged in a field and having an obstruction control system, according to an aspect of the present disclosure; [007] Figure 2 is a schematic view of the obstruction control system of Figure 1, according to an aspect of the present disclosure; [008] Figure 3 is a side view of an embodiment of a row unit of the agricultural implement of Figure 1, according to an aspect of the present disclosure; [009] Figure 4 is a rear view of an embodiment of a waste management system of the row unit of Figure 3, according to an aspect of the present disclosure; [010] Figure 5 is a bottom view of an embodiment of an opening assembly of the row unit of Figure 3, according to an aspect of the present disclosure; [011] Figure 6 is a front view of an embodiment of a row unit closing assembly of Figure 3, according to an aspect of the present disclosure; and [012] Figure 7 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for the obstruction control system of Figure 1, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [013] One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation may be described in the descriptive report. It should be understood that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design undertaking, numerous specific implementation decisions must be made to achieve the specific objectives of the developers, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Furthermore, it should be understood that a development effort such as this may be complex and time-consuming, but despite this it would be a routine design, manufacturing and assembly undertaking for people with ordinary knowledge having the benefit of this disclosure. [014] When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are used to indicate that one or more of the elements exist. The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are proposed to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements besides those listed. Any examples of operating parameters and/or environmental conditions are not exclusive of other parameters/conditions of the disclosed embodiments. [015] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure include an obstruction control system for an agricultural implement and/or for a work vehicle. Certain agricultural i