AGRICULTURAL TRENCH DEPTH SENSING SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS

• US 20150289438A1
• Filed: 10/24/2013
• Published: 10/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Precision Planting LLC (AGCO Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Precision Planting LLC (AGCO Corporation)
• Inventors: Sauder, Derek, Stoller, Jason, Levy, Kent, Radtke, Ian
• Granted Patent: US 9,750,174 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 63/111 regulating working depth of implements
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 71/02 Setting or adjusting mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 76/00 Parts, details or accessories of agricultural machines or implements, not provided for in groups A01B51/00 - A01B75/00
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 79/005 Precision agriculture
• 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 7/203 comprising depth regulation means
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 21/18 for measuring depth
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/142 using Hall-effect devices measuring magnetic variables using Hall-effect or other galvanomagnetic devices G01R33/06

Abstract

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for determining the depth of a trench opened by an agricultural to planter. Sensors are provided for detecting the position of a ground-engaging element of the planter such as a gauge wheel or seed firmer of a row unit of the planter. Apparatus and methods are provided for installing such sensors onto a row unit of the planter. Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for controlling downpressure on a row unit based on the trench depth. Methods are provided for mapping trench depth measured by the depth sensors.

Claims

1. An agricultural row unit, comprising:

a row unit frame;

a first gauge wheel arm pivotally mounted to the row unit frame and disposed to limit the depth of a trench opened by the row unit; and

a first sensor configured to generate a first signal related to the angular position of said first gauge wheel arm relative to said row unit frame, said first sensor comprising;

a receiver component;

a transmitter component;

wherein one of said receiver component and said transmitter component is disposed to rotate with said first gauge wheel arm;

wherein one of said receiver component and said transmitter component is fixedly mounted to said row unit frame; and

wherein said first signal is related to a distance between said receiver component and said transmitter component.

2. The agricultural row unit of claim 1, further comprising:

a second gauge wheel arm pivotally mounted to the row unit frame and disposed to limit the depth of a trench opened by the row unit;

a rocker pivotally mounted to said row unit frame, said rocker limiting a relative angular position of said second gauge wheel arm relative to said first gauge wheel arm; and

a second sensor configured to generate a second signal related to the angular position of said second gauge wheel arm relative to said row unit frame.

3. The agricultural row unit of claim 1, wherein said receiver component comprises a Hall-effect sensor.

4. The agricultural row unit of claim 1, wherein said transmitter component comprises a magnet.

5. The agricultural row unit of claim 1, wherein one of said receiver component and said transmitter component is mounted directly to said first gauge wheel arm.

6. The agricultural row unit of claim 1, wherein one of said receiver component and said transmitter component is mounted to said first gauge wheel arm via a circumferential mounting rim, wherein said circumferential mounting rim is mounted to said gauge wheel arm.

7. The agricultural row unit of claim 2, further comprising:

a processor, said processor in data communication with said first sensor and said second sensor, said processor configured to estimate the depth of a trench opened by the agricultural row unit based on said first signal and said second signal.

8. The agricultural row unit of claim 7, wherein said processor is configured to calculate an average of said first signal and said second signal.

9. A method of measuring the trench depth of a trench opened in a field by an agricultural row unit, comprising:

generating a first depth signal related to the trench depth;

determining a measured trench depth value based on said first depth signal;

determining a location of the agricultural row unit based on a GPS signal;

associating said measured trench depth value with said location; and

generating a trench depth map spatially relating a plurality of locations in the field with the trench depths at each of said plurality of locations.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

displaying on a display viewable to a user, said trench depth map and the trench depth of the trench currently being opened in the field.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said step of determining a measured trench depth value based on said first depth signal comprises looking up said first depth signal in a calibration dataset.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said calibration dataset is updated by a calibration process, said calibration process comprising:

recording a first calibration signal while a first gauge wheel arm is in a first known position; and

modifying said calibration dataset based on said first calibration signal.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said calibration process further comprises:

recording a second calibration signal while said first gauge wheel arm is in a second known position; and

selecting a subset of said calibration dataset based on said second calibration signal.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said first gauge wheel arm is placed in said first known position by lowering the agricultural row unit onto a surface, wherein said surface is not penetrated by opening discs of the agricultural row unit.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

comparing said measured trench depth to a selected trench depth; and

modifying a position of a depth actuator to bring said measured trench depth closer to said selected trench depth.

16. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

comparing said measured trench depth to a selected trench depth; and

modifying a configuration of a downpressure valve to bring said measured trench depth closer to said selected trench depth.

17. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

comparing said measured trench depth to a full depth; and

if said measured trench depth is not equal to a full depth, adjusting the pressure of a downpressure actuator, said downpressure actuator disposed to modify a downpressure applied to the agricultural row unit.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

determining whether said measured depth is less than zero depth;

if said measured depth is less than zero depth, adjusting downpressure by a first increment; and

if said measured depth is not less than zero depth, adjusting downpressure by a second increment, wherein said first increment is different in value from said second increment.