Implement optimization by automated adjustments

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10517238-B2
Application number	US-201715707570-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 18, 2017
Priority date	Sep 18, 2017
Publication date	Dec 31, 2019
Grant date	Dec 31, 2019

Abstract

An implement adjusting system having an implement with a plurality of adjustable components, a plurality of input values, at least one controlled system configured to adjust at least one of the plurality of adjustable components, and a controller that receives the plurality of input values, the controller configured to reposition the plurality of adjustable components based on the plurality of input values. Wherein, the plurality of adjustable components are repositionable by the controller based on the input values.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An implement adjusting system, comprising:
an implement having a plurality of adjustable components;
a plurality of input values;
at least one controlled system configured to adjust at least one of the plurality of adjustable components, the plurality of adjustable components including a main frame section and a second frame section pivotally coupled to the mean frame section; and
a controller that receives the plurality of input values, the controller configured to reposition the plurality of adjustable components based on the plurality of input values;
wherein, the plurality of adjustable components are repositionable by the controller based on the input values;
further wherein, the controller is configured to alter the position of the second frame section relative to the main frame section responsive to the input values to provide a substantially consistent downforce to tools on both the main frame section and the second frame section.

2. The implement adjusting system of claim 1 , further wherein the plurality of input values comprises a speed value, a primary tool depth value, a secondary tool depth value, a tool angle value, or an attachment setting value.

3. The implement adjusting system of claim 1 , further wherein the plurality of input values comprises a primary tool depth value, and an attachment setting value.

4. The implement adjusting system of claim 1 , further wherein the at least one controlled system configured to adjust at least one of the plurality of adjustable components further comprises at least one of a frame height adjustment, a fore-aft adjustment, a wing adjustment, or a second tool adjustment.

5. The implement adjusting system of claim 1 , further wherein the at least one controlled system configured to adjust at least one of the plurality of adjustable components further comprises a frame height adjustment and a fore-aft adjustment.

6. The implement adjusting system of claim 1 :
further wherein, the plurality of input values comprises an attachment setting value, the attachment setting value having a first setting value and a second setting value;
further wherein, the at least one controlled system configured to adjust at least one of the plurality of adjustable components further comprises:
a frame height adjustment; and
a fore-aft adjustment;

further wherein, both the frame height adjustment and the fore-aft adjustment are repositioned when the attachment setting is changed from the first setting to the second setting.

7. The implement adjusting system of claim 6 , further comprising a wing adjustment, wherein, the wing adjustment is repositioned when the attachment setting is changed from the first setting to the second setting.

8. The implement adjusting system of claim 1 :
further wherein, the plurality of input values comprises a tool angle value, the tool angle value having at least a first value and a second value;
further wherein, the at least one controlled system configured to adjust at least one of the plurality of adjustable components further comprises:
a frame height adjustment; and
a fore-aft adjustment;

wherein, both the frame height adjustment and the fore-aft adjustment are repositioned when the tool angle setting is changed from the first value to the second value.

9. An implement, comprising:
a frame;
a plurality of movable components coupled to the frame, the plurality of movable components including a frame section pivotally coupled to the frame wherein both the frame and the frame section have work tools coupled thereto;
a plurality of actuators configured to reposition the plurality of movable components relative to the frame, at least one of the plurality of actuators coupled between the frame and the frame section to selectively pivot the frame section relative to the frame;
a controller configured to selectively reposition the plurality of movable components via the plurality of actuators; and
at least one input value communicated to the controller, the input value indicating at least a first value or a second value;
wherein, each of the plurality of movable components are assigned a first position that corresponds with the first value and a second position that corresponds with a second value;
further wherein, the controller positions the movable components in the first position responsive to the at least one input value communicating to the controller the first value,
further wherein, the controller is configured to position the movable components in the second position responsive to the at least one input value communicating to the controller the second value;
further wherein, the controller is configured to alter the position of the frame section relative to the frame when the controller transitions the movable components between the first position and the second position.

10. The implement of claim 9 , further wherein the plurality of movable components includes a frame height adjustment assembly and a fore-aft adjustment assembly.

11. The implement of claim 10 , further wherein the plurality of movable components includes a wing adjustment assembly coupled to the frame section, wherein the wing adjustment assembly is configured to be selectively altered by the controller to modify a downforce applied to the wing assembly relative to the frame.

12. The implement of claim 9 , further wherein at least two of the movable components are configured to be repositioned by the controller when the input value changes from the first value to the second value to alter a downforce applied to the work tools of both the frame section and the frame.

13. The implement of claim 9 , further wherein the input value comprises:
a tool angle value;
an attachment setting value;
an implement speed value; and
a tool depth value;
wherein, each of the tool angle value, attachment setting value, implement speed value, and tool depth value have a pre-set value stored in the controller and the controller implements the pre-set value unless the pre-set value has been changed by the at least one input value.

14. An implement assembly, comprising:
a hitch assembly;
a main frame coupled to the hitch assembly and having a frame tool;
a first frame section pivotally coupled to the main frame about a first frame axis and having a first frame tool;
a second frame section pivotally coupled to the main frame about a second frame axis and having a second frame tool;
a first side actuator that selectively pivots the first frame section about the first frame axis relative to the main frame;
a second side actuator that selectively pivots the second frame section about the second frame axis relative to the main frame;
a controller that selectively repositions the first and second side actuator; and
a user interface that communicates user inputs to the controller;
wherein, at least one of the user inputs is an orientation of at least one of the frame tool, the first frame tool, or the second frame tool and the controller is configured to reposition the first and second side actuator to correspond with the user input to provide a consistent downforce to the frame tool, the first frame tool, and the second frame tool.

15. The implement assembly of claim 14 , further wherein the main frame is pivotally coupled to the hitch assembly about a transverse axis, the transverse axis being substantially perpendicular to the first frame axis and the second frame axis.

16. The implement assembly of claim 15 , further comprising a fore-aft actuator in communication with the controller and configured to selectiv

Assignees

• Deere & Co

Inventors

• Sporrer Adam D
• Becker Shawn J
• Cross Jacob W

Classifications

• A01B63/002 Primary

  Devices for adjusting or regulating the position of tools or wheels (preventing overstrain A01B61/00; wheels adjustable relatively to the frame for drawn implements A01B3/16; tools or tool holders adjustable relatively to the frame for drawn implements A01B63/24) · CPC title

• A01B79/005

  Precision agriculture · CPC title

• A01B69/004

  automatic · CPC title

• A01G25/097 Primary

  guided or propelled along a water supply line with supply line traversing means · CPC title

• A01G25/023

  Dispensing fittings for drip irrigation, e.g. drippers · CPC title