Global controller and distributed local controller(s) for an agricultural implement
First Claim
1. A control system for an agricultural implement, the implement including a global output device for performing a global implement function in response to global control signals and further including a plurality of sections, each section including a local product metering device for applying a product to a row of a field in response to local control signals, the control system comprising:
- a source of commands configured to generate global commands for the global function and product rate commands for each product metering device;
a global controller supported by the implement and configured to receive the global commands, to generate the global control signals from the global commands, and to apply the global control signals to the global output device; and
a plurality of local controllers corresponding to the plurality of sections, each local controller configured to receive the product rate commands for the local product metering device, to generate the local control signals for the local product metering device from the product rate commands, and to apply the local control signals to the local product metering device.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A control system for agricultural implements such as planters, conventional or air drills is disclosed herein. The implement has a frame with multiple sections and each section has a plurality of row units to apply product to multiple rows in a field. The implement is equipped with global output devices (e.g., lights, actuators for moving moveable frame members, actuators for moving markers) to perform global implement functions in response to global control signals. Each section includes one or more local product metering devices for applying products at varying rates in response to local control signals. The products include seed, fertilizer, insecticide and herbicide. The control system includes command sources (e.g., a lighting connector; an operator interface in the cab) to generate global commands for the global implement functions and to generate local rate commands for the metering devices. The control system further includes a global controller, and local controllers corresponding to the sections. The global controller receives the global commands for the global implement functions and generates the global control signals therefrom. The local controllers receive the local rate commands for the local product metering devices and generate the local control signals therefrom.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A control system for an agricultural implement, the implement including a global output device for performing a global implement function in response to global control signals and further including a plurality of sections, each section including a local product metering device for applying a product to a row of a field in response to local control signals, the control system comprising:
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a source of commands configured to generate global commands for the global function and product rate commands for each product metering device; a global controller supported by the implement and configured to receive the global commands, to generate the global control signals from the global commands, and to apply the global control signals to the global output device; and a plurality of local controllers corresponding to the plurality of sections, each local controller configured to receive the product rate commands for the local product metering device, to generate the local control signals for the local product metering device from the product rate commands, and to apply the local control signals to the local product metering device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A control system for an implement coupled to a work vehicle having an operator station, the implement including a global output device for performing a global implement function in response to global control signals and further including a plurality of sections, each section including a local product metering device for applying a product to a row of a field in response to local control signals, the control system comprising:
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an implement data bus running between the operator station and the implement; an operator interface located at the operator station and coupled to the bus, the operator interface configured to generate global commands on the bus for the global implement function and product rate commands on the bus for the local product metering devices; a global controller supported by the implement and coupled to the bus, the global controller configured to receive the global commands on the bus and to generate the global control signals therefrom; and a plurality of local controllers, each local controller located on one section, coupled to the bus, and configured to receive the product rate commands on the bus for the local product metering device for the section and to generate the local control signals for the local product metering device therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. An implement coupled to an agricultural vehicle including a cab, an operator interface located in the cab and a data bus running between the operator interface and the implement, the operator interface being configured to generate global implement commands and local application rate commands on the data bus, the implement comprising:
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a frame including a plurality of sections, each section including a metering device configured to apply a product to multiple rows of a field in response to local control signals; a global output device coupled to the frame and configured to perform a global implement function in response to global control signals; a global controller supported by the implement, coupled to the data bus and configured to receive the global implement commands from the data bus and to generate the global control signals therefrom; and a plurality of local controllers coupled to the data bus, each local controller configured to receive the local application rate commands from the data bus for the metering device for one section and to generate the local control signals for the local metering device therefrom.
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Specification