Row unit plugging detection and control system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12284936-B2
Application number	US-202117194736-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 8, 2021
Priority date	Mar 8, 2021
Publication date	Apr 29, 2025
Grant date	Apr 29, 2025

Abstract

A method of controlling a mobile agricultural machine, the method comprising operating a row unit having a ground-engaging element to deliver product to a furrow formed by the row unit, receiving an indication of rotational speed of the ground-engaging element, determining that the rotational speed of the ground-engaging element is below a threshold, and controlling an action of the mobile agricultural machine based on the determination.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of controlling a mobile agricultural machine, the method comprising:
operating a row unit having a ground-engaging element and configured to deliver product to a furrow formed by the row unit;
receiving an indication of rotational speed of the ground-engaging element;
performing a comparison of the rotational speed of the ground-engaging element to a plurality of rotational speed thresholds, each rotational speed threshold, of the plurality of rotational speed thresholds, having a different associated machine action;
based on the comparison, selecting a machine action that is associated with a particular rotational speed threshold, of the plurality of rotational speed thresholds, that corresponds to the rotational speed of the ground-engaging element; and
controlling the mobile agricultural machine to perform the machine action.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving an indication of rotational speed of the ground-engaging element comprises receiving a sensor signal from a sensor on the row unit.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ground-engaging element comprises a furrow opener mounted to the row unit and configured to engage a surface of ground over which the mobile agricultural machine travels to open the furrow in the ground.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the row unit comprises a furrow opener mounted to the row unit and configured to engage a surface of ground over which the mobile agricultural machine travels to open the furrow in the ground, and wherein the ground-engaging element comprises at least one of:
a row cleaner mounted to the row unit ahead of the furrow opener relative to a direction of travel of the mobile agricultural machine, the row cleaner configured to clear debris from a path of the furrow opener;
a furrow closer mounted to the row unit behind the furrow opener relative to a direction of travel of the mobile agricultural machine; or
a gauge wheel.

5. The method of claim 1 , and further comprising identifying a plugging condition based on the comparison.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the machine action comprises controlling a user interface device to render the indication of rotation of the ground-engaging element.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the machine action comprises:
controlling a speed of the mobile agricultural machine.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the machine action comprises;
controlling operation of the row unit.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein controlling operation of the row unit comprises at least one of:
adjusting a downforce exerted on the row unit by a downforce generation subsystem, or
adjusting a height of the ground-engaging element.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the machine action comprises controlling an actuator to vibrate the row unit.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein controlling operation of the row unit comprises controlling a drive mechanism on the row unit configured to drive rotation of the ground-engaging element, wherein the drive mechanism is controlled to at least one of:
control a rotational speed of the ground-engaging element,
control a rotational direction of the ground-engaging element, or
oscillate rotation of the ground-engaging element.

12. A method of controlling a mobile agricultural machine, the method comprising:
operating a row unit having a ground-engaging element to deliver product to a furrow formed by the row unit;
receiving an indication of rotational speed of the ground-engaging element;
generating a likelihood that the rotational speed of the ground-engaging element will meet a threshold rotation speed within a time period based on a field condition;
identifying a predicted plugging condition based on the likelihood; and
controlling an action of the mobile agricultural machine based on the predicted plugging condition.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein controlling the action comprises controlling an actuator on the row unit to at least one of:
oscillate rotation of the ground-engaging element, or
vibrate the row unit.

14. A mobile agricultural machine comprising:
a row unit configured to deliver product to a furrow, the row unit comprising a ground-engaging element configured to rotate about an axis of the ground-engaging element; and
a control system configured to:
receive an indication of rotational speed of the ground-engaging element;
perform a comparison of the rotational speed of the ground-engaging element to a plurality of rotational speed thresholds, each rotational speed threshold, of the plurality of rotational speed thresholds, having a different associated machine action;
based on the comparison, select a machine action that is associated with a particular rotational speed threshold, of the plurality of rotational speed thresholds, that corresponds to the rotational speed of the ground-engaging element; and
control the mobile agricultural machine to perform the machine action.

15. The mobile agricultural machine of claim 14 , wherein the ground-engaging element comprises a furrow opener mounted to the row unit and configured to engage a surface of ground over which the mobile agricultural machine travels to open the furrow in the ground.

16. The mobile agricultural machine of claim 14 , wherein the row unit comprises a furrow opener mounted to the row unit and configured to engage a surface of ground over which the mobile agricultural machine travels to open the furrow in the ground, and wherein the ground-engaging element comprises at least one of:
a row cleaner mounted to the row unit ahead of the furrow opener relative to a direction of travel of the mobile agricultural machine, the row cleaner configured to clear debris from a path of the furrow opener;
a furrow closer mounted to the row unit behind the furrow opener relative to a direction of travel of the mobile agricultural machine; or
a gauge wheel.

17. The mobile agricultural machine of claim 14 , and further comprising:
a user interface device; and
wherein the machine action controls the user interface device to render, to a user, the indication of rotation of the ground-engaging element.

18. The mobile agricultural machine of claim 14 , wherein the mobile agricultural machine is controlled to at least one of:
adjust a downforce exerted on the row unit by a downforce generation subsystem,
adjust a height of the ground-engaging element, or
control an actuator to vibrate the row unit.

19. The mobile agricultural machine of claim 14 , wherein the mobile agricultural machine is controlled to at least one of:
control the rotational speed of the ground-engaging element,
control a rotational direction of the ground-engaging element, or
oscillate rotation of the ground-engaging element.

Assignees

• Deere & Co

Inventors

• Boufleur Fabio P
• Christmann Marlon L
• Hubner Cary S

Classifications

• G05D1/43

  Control of position or course in two dimensions [2D] · CPC title

• G01B5/14

  for measuring distance or clearance between spaced objects or spaced apertures (G01B5/24 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A01C7/084

  Pneumatic distribution heads for seeders · CPC title

• A01C7/08

  Broadcast seeders; Seeders depositing seeds in rows · CPC title

• A01C5/066

  Devices for covering drills or furrows · CPC title