Ground-engaging implement with lateral position adjustment

• US 10,485,154 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2017
• Issued: 11/26/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Connell, Richard J., McDonald, Brandon M., Hendrickson, Larry L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mayo-Pinnock, Tara
• Application Number:
  US15/693,147
• Publication Number:
  US 20180325010A1
• Time in Patent Office: 817 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 15/18 Coulters
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 49/06 for sowing or fertilising
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 59/002 Details, component parts
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 59/0415 by hydraulic or pneumatic means acting on the lower draft links
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 59/043 supported at three points, e.g. by quick-release couplings A01B59/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 63/004 Lateral adjustment of tools
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 63/245 laterally adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 63/28 operated by the machine or implement
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 69/004 automatic
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 69/008 automatic
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 73/044 the axis being oriented in a longitudinal direction A01B73/042 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 79/02 combined with other agricultural processing, e.g. fertilising, planting
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 15/006 Hoppers
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 21/005 Following a specific plan, e.g. pattern
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 23/024 for ammonia
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/062 Devices for making drills or furrows
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/064 with rotating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/068 Furrow packing devices, e.g. press wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/08 Machines for both manuring and sowing or both manuring and planting
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/06 Seeders combined with fertilising apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/102 : Regulating or controlling the seed rate
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/201 : Mounting of the seeding tools
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/206 : Seed pipes
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/12 : using electric or magnetic means G01D5/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/41 : Differential correction, e.g. DGPS [differential GPS]

Abstract

A data processor determines whether a draft force on the implement is unbalanced based on an error between the observed implement angle and a target implement heading exceeding a threshold deviation. The data processor is adapted to generate a control signal to compensate for the imbalance in the draft force by adjusting the first lateral position via the first actuator, or by adjusting the second lateral position via the second actuator, the first actuator and the second actuator being positioned on opposite lateral sides of the implement.

Claims

1. A ground-engaging agricultural implement system, the implement system comprising:

a front member;

a hitch connected to the front member, the hitch associated with a hitch angle sensor for estimating an observed implement angle with respect to the front member, a vehicle heading, or to a longitudinal axis of a vehicle for pulling the hitch;

a first rear member spaced apart from the front member and positioned generally parallel to the front member;

a first pair of first pivotable arms generally parallel to each other, the first pair of first pivotable arms rotatably connected to the front member, or a section thereof, at pivot points;

the first pair of first pivotable arms rotatably connected to the first rear member at pivot points;

at least one first opener or first row unit extending downward from or with respect to the first rear member;

a first actuator with a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end coupled to one of the first pivotable arms, the second end coupled to the front member or to the first rear member to adjust a first lateral position of the first opener or first row unit with respect to the front member; and

a first position sensor for estimating the first lateral position of the first opener or first row unit with respect to the front member, the first position sensor estimating the first lateral position based on an angle between any first pivotable arm and the front member or the first rear member;

a data processor for determining whether a draft force on the implement is unbalanced based on an error between the observed implement angle and a target implement heading exceeding a threshold deviation;

the data processor generating a control signal to compensate for the imbalance in the draft force by adjusting the first lateral position via the first actuator, or by adjusting the second lateral position via the second actuator, the first actuator and the second actuator being positioned on opposite lateral sides of the implement.

2. The implement according to claim 1 wherein the hitch angle sensor comprises:

a magnet secured to the hitch;

a magnetic field sensor associated with a vehicle for pulling the implement, the magnetic field sensor detecting a change in the magnetic field associated with the magnet indicative of an observed implement angle of the implement, or its front member, with respect to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

3. The implement according to claim 2 wherein the magnet is secured to an upper hitch point of the hitch.

4. The implement according to claim 1 further comprising:

an implement location-determining receiver for determining a position of the implement or a reference position associated with the front member, the implement location-determining receiver estimating an observed implement heading at the position;

an implement data processor retrieving the target implement heading from a data storage device associated with the respective position.

5. The implement according to claim 1 further comprising:

a first force sensor associated with a frame member of the first row unit to detect a first draft force associated with the first ground-engaging element; and

a second force sensor associated with a frame member of the second row unit to detect a second draft force associated with the second ground-engaging element.

6. The implement according to claim 5 further comprising:

an implement data processor for independently or collectively adjusting the first lateral position of the first ground-engaging element and the second lateral position of the second ground-engaging element to balance or equalize the first and second draft forces, wherein the first ground-engaging element is located on one side of the implement longitudinal axis and wherein the second ground-engaging element is located on an opposite side of the implement longitudinal axis.

7. The implement according to claim 5 further comprising:

an implement data processor for independently or collectively adjusting the first lateral position and first vertical position of the first ground-engaging element and the second lateral position and second vertical position of the second ground-engaging element to balance or equalize the first and second draft forces, wherein the first ground-engaging element is located on one side of the implement longitudinal axis and wherein the second ground-engaging element is located on an opposite side of the implement longitudinal axis.

8. The implement according to claim 1 further comprising:

data processor generating a control signal to actuate the first actuator or the second actuator to move one or more ground-engaging elements laterally outward from the implement to reduce or minimize the error.

9. The implement according to claim 1 further comprising:

an implement data processor for independently adjusting the first lateral position of a first ground-engaging element and the second lateral position of the second ground-engaging element in opposite directions to balance or equalize the draft forces, wherein the first ground-engaging element is located on one side of the implement longitudinal axis and wherein the second ground-engaging element is located on an opposite side of the implement longitudinal axis.

10. The implement according to claim 1 further comprising:

an implement data processor for reducing the downforce or downward pressure on one or more ground-engaging elements on one side of the implement with respect to the other ground-engaging elements on the other side of the implement to reduce or minimize the error.