Independent ground engaging tool depth control

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11140805-B2
Application number	US-201715820178-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 21, 2017
Priority date	Nov 21, 2017
Publication date	Oct 12, 2021
Grant date	Oct 12, 2021

Abstract

In one embodiment, a seeding implement control system includes a controller including a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to receive a first signal indicative of a target extension length of an actuator. The actuator is configured to control a ground engaging tool of a row unit. The actuator is also configured to position a lower surface of a blade of the ground engaging tool a target distance above a soil surface while the actuator is extended to the target extension length. The controller is further configured to store the target extension length in a memory device of the controller. The controller is configured to instruct the actuator to transition to the target extension length in response to receiving a second signal indicative of transitioning the ground engaging tool to a disengaged position.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A seeding implement, comprising:
a controller, wherein the controller comprises a memory device and a processor; and
an actuator, wherein the actuator is configured to move a blade of a ground engaging tool relative to a soil surface;
wherein the controller is configured to control the actuator to move the blade to a disengaged position in which a lower surface of the blade is positioned at a target distance above the soil surface, receive a first signal indicative of a target extension length of the actuator while the blade is in the disengaged position in which the lower surface of the blade is positioned at the target distance above the soil surface, store the target extension length in the memory device of the controller, wherein the target extension length corresponds to an extension length of the actuator at which the actuator positions the lower surface of the blade at the target distance above the soil surface, and control the actuator to transition to the target extension length in response to receipt of a second signal indicative of an input to transition the ground engaging tool to the disengaged position;
wherein the seeding implement comprises a second actuator, wherein the second actuator is configured to move a second blade of a second ground engaging tool relative to the soil surface, and the controller is configured to control the second actuator to move the second blade to a respective disengaged position in which a second lower surface of the second blade is positioned at the target distance above the soil surface while the second actuator is extended to a second target extension length that is different than the first target extension length, to store the second target extension length in the memory device of the controller, and to control the second actuator to transition to the second target extension length in response to receipt of a third signal indicative of another input to transition the second ground engaging tool to the respective disengaged position.

2. The seeding implement of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to receive a fourth signal indicative of a measured distance between the lower surface of the blade and the soil surface.

3. The seeding implement of claim 2 , wherein, in response to determining that a difference between the measured distance and the target distance is greater than a threshold distance while the actuator is extended to the target extension length, the controller is configured to control the actuator to adjust the extension length of the actuator to be different than the target extension length to adjust the measured distance.

4. The seeding implement of claim 2 , comprising a proximity sensor that is configured to generate the fourth signal.

5. The seeding implement of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to control the actuator to transition to a third target extension length in response to receipt of a fourth signal indicative of another input to transition the ground engaging tool to an engaged position.

6. The seeding implement of claim 5 , wherein the fourth signal is generated by the controller based on a predetermined field map.

7. The seeding implement of claim 5 , wherein the actuator is configured to position the lower surface of the blade at a second target distance below the soil surface while the actuator is extended to the third target extension length.

8. The seeding implement of claim 7 , wherein the controller is configured to receive a fifth signal indicative of a second measured distance between the lower surface of the blade and the surface of the soil, and in response to determining that a difference between the second measured distance and the second target distance is greater than a threshold distance, the controller is configured to control the actuator to adjust the extension length of the actuator to be different than the third target extension length to adjust the second measured distance.

Assignees

• Cnh Ind Canada Ltd

Inventors

• Engel Gordon Anthony
• Altman Russell
• Kowalchuk Trevor

Classifications

• A01B63/1112

  using a non-tactile ground distance measurement, e.g. using reflection of waves · CPC title

• A01C7/203

  comprising depth regulation means · CPC title

• A01C5/062

  Devices for making drills or furrows · CPC title

• A01B49/02

  with two or more soil-working tools of different kind · CPC title

• A01B63/008 Primary

  Vertical adjustment of tools (A01B63/10 takes precedence) · CPC title