WO2024042426A1 - Dispositif de commande d'unité à rangées multiples pour commander et surveiller des unités de rangée d'un outil agricole et procédé associé - Google Patents

Dispositif de commande d'unité à rangées multiples pour commander et surveiller des unités de rangée d'un outil agricole et procédé associé Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024042426A1
WO2024042426A1 PCT/IB2023/058177 IB2023058177W WO2024042426A1 WO 2024042426 A1 WO2024042426 A1 WO 2024042426A1 IB 2023058177 W IB2023058177 W IB 2023058177W WO 2024042426 A1 WO2024042426 A1 WO 2024042426A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
row
seed
row units
row unit
unit controller
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2023/058177
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Franz Josef FACKLER
Bernd Hoffmann
Julio REGHELIN
Jarret Lee BRINKER
Justin MCMENAMY
Emil BANDY
Blaze FORNOFF
Ryan ALLGAIER
Justin Vollmer
William Frank
Brent WIEGAND
David Aaron Wilcoxson
Original Assignee
Agco International Gmbh
Agco Do Brasil Soluções Agrícolas Ltda.
Precision Planting Llc
Agco Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Agco International Gmbh, Agco Do Brasil Soluções Agrícolas Ltda., Precision Planting Llc, Agco Corporation filed Critical Agco International Gmbh
Publication of WO2024042426A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024042426A1/fr

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01C—PLANTING; SOWING; FERTILISING
    • A01C7/00—Sowing
    • A01C7/04—Single-grain seeders with or without suction devices
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01C—PLANTING; SOWING; FERTILISING
    • A01C21/00—Methods of fertilising, sowing or planting
    • A01C21/005—Following a specific plan, e.g. pattern
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01C—PLANTING; SOWING; FERTILISING
    • A01C7/00—Sowing
    • A01C7/08—Broadcast seeders; Seeders depositing seeds in rows
    • A01C7/10—Devices for adjusting the seed-box ; Regulation of machines for depositing quantities at intervals
    • A01C7/102—Regulating or controlling the seed rate
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01C—PLANTING; SOWING; FERTILISING
    • A01C19/00—Arrangements for driving working parts of fertilisers or seeders
    • A01C19/02—Arrangements for driving working parts of fertilisers or seeders by a motor

Definitions

  • Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to agricultural implements, and particularly to planters or other implements having row units for planting, seeding, fertilizing, tilling, or otherwise working crops or soil.
  • control and monitoring systems for such applications have grown increasingly complex. Supplying, installation, and maintenance of such systems have become increasingly difficult. Additionally, control and monitoring systems for controlling and monitoring operations of row units of planters can be relatively expensive to build and/or purchase.
  • an agricultural implement in one aspect, includes a toolbar.
  • the agricultural implement also includes a plurality of row units supported by the toolbar.
  • Each row unit includes a seed drive system, a seed meter operably coupled to the seed drive system, and a seed delivery mechanism connected to the seed meter.
  • the agricultural implement also includes a multi-row unit controller operably connected to and configured to control operation of seed drive systems of at least two row units of the plurality of row units.
  • the multi-row unit controller includes a plurality of control connection ports, where a total number of the plurality of control connection ports of the multi-row unit controller is equal to a total number of seed drive systems to which the multi-row unit controller is operably connected.
  • the multi-row unit controller is operably connected to and configured to control operation of seed drive systems of four row units of the plurality of row units, and the total number of the plurality of control connection ports of the multi-row unit controller is four. [0005] In some embodiments, the multi-row unit controller does not share a connection with devices via the plurality of control connection ports beyond the seed drive systems of the at least two row units of the plurality of row units.
  • the multi-row unit controller further includes at least one processor.
  • the agricultural implement may also include at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the multi-row unit controller to receive control data from a central controller of a tractor, receive measurement data regarding operation of the seed drive systems of the at least two row units of the plurality of row units, and based at least partially on the received control data and the received measurement data, control operation of the seed drive systems of the at least two row units of the plurality of row units.
  • the multi-row unit controller further includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the multi-row unit controller to determine and generate meter speed instructions for controlling operation of the seed drive systems of the at least two row units of the plurality of row units.
  • control data includes a desired seeding rate prescription.
  • the measurement data includes current row-specific speeds of the at least two row units of the plurality of row units.
  • determining and generating the meter speed instructions includes determining and generating specific and unique meter speed instructions for each seed drive system of the at least two row units of the plurality of row units.
  • determining and generating the meter speed instructions includes determining and generating the meter speed instructions based on measured row-specific speeds of the at least two row units of the plurality of row units.
  • each row unit further includes at least one hopper, a seed trench opening assembly, and a trench closing assembly.
  • One or more embodiments include a method of controlling operation of seed drive systems of at least two row units of a plurality of row units of an agricultural implement via a single multi-row unit controller.
  • the method includes receiving control data from a central controller of a tractor, receiving measurement data regarding operation of the seed drive systems of the at least two row units of the plurality of row units, based at least partially on the received control data and the received measurement data, determining and generating meter speed instructions for controlling operation of the seed drive systems of the at least two row units of the plurality of row units, and providing the determined and generated meter speed instructions to the seed drive systems of the at least two row units of the plurality of row units via control connection ports of the single multi-row unit controller, where a total number of the control connection ports of the single multi-row unit controller is equal to a total number of seed drive systems of the at least two row units of the plurality of row units.
  • receiving control data from the central controller includes receiving a desired seeding rate prescription from the central controller.
  • the single multi-row unit controller does not receive data directly from devices beyond the central controller and the seed drive systems of the at least two row units of the plurality of row units.
  • the single multi-row unit controller does not control operation of any devices beyond the seed drive systems of the at least two row units of the plurality of row units.
  • receiving measurement data includes receiving current row-specific speeds of the seed drive systems of the at least two row units of the plurality of row units.
  • determining and generating the meter speed instructions includes determining and generating specific and unique meter speed instructions for each seed drive system of the at least two row units of the plurality of row units.
  • determining and generating the meter speed instructions includes determining and generating a desired number of seed meter rotations per unit of time.
  • the method may also include determining a seed population and a seeding spacing specific to each row unit of the at least two row units of the plurality of row units, and providing the determined seed population and determined seeding spacing for each row unit of the at least two row units of the plurality of row units to the central controller.
  • Some embodiments include a row unit of an agricultural implement.
  • the row unit includes a seed drive system, a seed meter operably coupled to the seed drive system, a seed delivery mechanism connected to the seed meter, a multi-row unit controller operably connected to and configured to control operation of the seed drive system of the row unit, where the multi-row unit controller is operably connected to and configured to control operation of at least one additional seed drive system of at least one addition row unit of the agricultural implement, where every control connection port of the multi-row unit controller is occupied by a connection to a seed drive system of a row unit.
  • the multi-row unit controller is operably connected to and configured to control operation of at least four seed drive systems.
  • FIG. 1 is a simplified top view of a tractor pulling an agricultural implement according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure
  • FIG. 2 is a simplified side view of a row unit of an agricultural implement according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure
  • FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a multi-row unit controller for controlling operations of multiple row units according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure
  • FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a multi-row unit controller for controlling operations of multiple row units according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a seed drive system of a row unit according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure.
  • FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a method of controlling operation of a plurality of row units via a single multi-row unit controller according to embodiments of the disclosure.
  • the term "substantially" in reference to a given parameter, property, or condition means and includes to a degree that one skilled in the art would understand that the given parameter, property, or condition is met with a small degree of variance, such as within acceptable manufacturing tolerances.
  • the parameter, property, or condition may be at least 90.0% met, at least 95.0% met, at least 99.0% met, or even at least 99.9% met.
  • the term "about” used in reference to a given parameter is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the given parameter, as well as variations resulting from manufacturing tolerances, etc.).
  • Embodiments of the present disclosure include multi-row unit controllers for controlling seed drive systems of a plurality of row units of an agricultural implement (e.g., a planter).
  • embodiments include a single multi-row unit controller configured to control seed drive systems of multiple row units (e.g., four row units) of the agricultural implement.
  • the multi-row unit controllers of the current disclosure may provide advantages over conventional row unit controllers. For example, relative to conventional implements, which include a row unit controller for every row unit of an implement, implements of the present disclosure require fewer row unit controllers.
  • the multi-row unit controllers of the current disclosure reduce costs (e.g., manufacturing costs, material costs) of producing row units and implements and enable increased production of row units and implements due to fewer required parts and availability of parts. Moreover, increased production of row units and implements can lead to increased sales and revenue.
  • FIG. 1 is a simplified top view of a tractor 102 pulling an implement 104 (e.g., a planter) in a forward direction of travel F, according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure.
  • the tractor 102 may be supported by wheels 106 and/or tracks.
  • a drawbar 108 may connect the implement 104 to a hitch of the tractor 102.
  • the implement 104 may include a frame 110 supporting a plurality of row units 112 at preselected locations, and may also support a tank 114 carrying seeds, fertilizer, a pesticide, etc.
  • the row units 112 may be carried by one or more toolbars 116, which may be adjustable relative to the frame 110 by mounts 118.
  • the row units 112 may include various ground-engaging tools, such as opening discs, seed meters, closing discs, material applicators, tillage tools, etc.
  • One or more wheels 120 may support the frame 110 as the implement 104 travels.
  • the tractor 102 may further include a central controller 122 in, for example, a cab of the tractor 102.
  • the central controller 122 may be configured to control one or more operations and devices of the tractor 102 and/or the implement 104.
  • the tractor 102 may include a global position system ("GPS 124") mounted to the tractor 102 and operably connected to (e.g., in communication with) the central controller 122.
  • GPS 124 may operate in conventional manner and may provide GPS data to the central controller 122.
  • the central controller 122 may include at least one processor, a memory, a storage device, a communication interface, and at least one input/output device 126.
  • the input/output device 126 may allow an operator of the tractor 102 to provide input to, receive output from, and otherwise transfer data to and receive data from central controller 122.
  • the input/output device 126 may include a mouse, a keypad or a keyboard, a joystick, a touch screen, a camera, an optical scanner, network interface, modem, other known I/O devices or a combination of such I/O interfaces.
  • the input/output device 126 may include one or more devices for presenting output to an operator, including, but not limited to, a graphics engine, a display (e.g., a display screen), one or more output drivers (e.g., display drivers), one or more audio speakers, and one or more audio drivers.
  • the input/output device 126 is configured to provide graphical data to a display for presentation to an operator.
  • the graphical data may be representative of one or more graphical user interfaces and/or any other graphical content as may serve a particular implementation.
  • the central controller 122 and the input/output device 126 may be utilized to provide data related to the operation of one or more row units 112 to the operator during operation of the tractor 102 and the implement 104.
  • FIG. 2 is a simplified side view of a row unit 112 carried by the toolbar 116 of the implement 104 according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure.
  • the row unit 112 is shown in the form of a planter row unit, but the row units 112 may be any type of groundengaging device for planting, seeding, fertilizing, tilling, or otherwise working crops or soil. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 together, the row units 112 may be spaced apart from one another, typically at a uniform distance from adjacent row units 112.
  • the row unit 112 may include a body 202 operably supporting one or more hoppers 204, a seed meter 206, a seed drive system 208, a seed delivery mechanism 210, a seed trench opening assembly 212, and a trench closing assembly 214.
  • the body 202 may be a unitary member, or may include one or more members coupled together (e.g., by bolts, welds, etc.).
  • the row unit 112 shown in FIG. 2 may optionally be a part of a central fill planter, in which case the hoppers 204 may include one or more mini-hoppers fed by a central hopper (e.g., tank 114) carried by the implement 104.
  • the toolbar 116 may carry a plurality of stationary brackets 216 that are fixed relative to the toolbar 116.
  • Each stationary bracket 216 may include at least one lateral member 218 oriented parallel to the toolbar 116.
  • the lateral member(s) 218 may include circular rods, angle iron, I-beams, square beams, bolts, or any other type of member for securing the row unit 112 to the toolbar 116.
  • FIG. 2 depicts the lateral members 218 as two parallel cylindrical rods.
  • Each row unit 112 may be coupled to a removable bracket 220, typically by a parallel linkage 222 in combination with an actuator 224 (e.g., a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator) or a spring, which enables the row unit 112 to move vertically independent of the toolbar 116 and to apply a downward force on a soil surface 226.
  • the removable bracket 220 if present, enables the moving and/or removal of individual row units 112 without moving the stationary brackets 216.
  • the removable bracket 220 may be omitted, and the parallel linkage 222 may be connected to the stationary bracket 216.
  • the seed trench opening assembly 212 of the row unit 112 may form a furrow into the soil surface 226 as the implement 104 is drawn across the soil surface 226 (e.g., a field).
  • the hopper 204 which may hold seeds to be planted, may provide an at least substantially constant supply of seeds to the seed meter 206.
  • the seed drive system 208 may be operably coupled to the seed meter 206 and may operate the seed meter 206. As the seed drive system 208 drives the seed meter 206, individual seeds may be metered and discharged into the seed delivery mechanism 210 at regularly spaced intervals based on a desired/selected seed population and a speed at which the implement 104 is drawn across the soil surface 226.
  • the seed delivery mechanism 210 includes a seed sensor (e.g., an optical sensor) that is oriented and configured to detect the presence of seeds as the seeds pass through the seed delivery mechanism 210. Each seed may drop from the end of the seed delivery mechanism 210 into the furrow, and the seeds may be covered with soil by the trench closing assembly 214 of the row unit 112.
  • a seed sensor e.g., an optical sensor
  • the row unit 112 depicted in FIG. 2 includes a multi-row unit controller 228 mounted to one or more portions (e.g., the body 202) of the row unit 112.
  • the multi-row unit controller 228 may be configured to control one or more operations of a plurality of row units 112.
  • the multi-row unit controller 228 may be configured and capable of controlling one or more operations of at least four row units 112.
  • the multi-row unit controller 228 may control operation of the seed drive systems 208 of a plurality of row units 112. Accordingly, some row units 112 of the implement 104 do not include a multirow unit controller 228.
  • FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a multi-row unit controller 228 of a row unit 112.
  • FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the multi-row unit controller 228 according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure.
  • the multi-row unit controller 228 may include a communication interface 302, a processor 304, a memory 306, a storage device 308, and a bus 310.
  • the multi-row unit controller 228 may be operably coupled to (e.g., in communication with) a plurality of seed drive systems 208 of a plurality of row units 112 via a plurality of connections 312, and, as noted above, the multi-row unit controller 228 may be configured to control operation of the plurality of seed drive systems 208.
  • the plurality of connections 312 may include wired connections.
  • the plurality of connections 312 may include wireless connections.
  • the communication interface 302, the processor 304, the memory 306, and the storage device 308 may be in electrical communication with the plurality of seed drive systems 208 via the communication interface 302 and/or the bus 310.
  • the processor 304 includes hardware for executing instructions, such as those making up a computer program. As an example, and not by way of limitation, to execute instructions, the processor 304 may retrieve (or fetch) the instructions from an internal register, an internal cache, the memory 306, or the storage device 308 and decode and execute them. In some embodiments, the processor 304 may include one or more internal caches for data, instructions, or addresses.
  • the processor 304 may include one or more instruction caches, one or more data caches, and one or more translation look aside buffers (TLBs). Instructions in the instruction caches may be copies of instructions in the memory 306 or the storage device 308.
  • TLBs translation look aside buffers
  • the memory 306 may be coupled to the processor 304.
  • the memory 306 may be used for storing data, metadata, and programs for execution by the processor(s) 304.
  • the memory 306 may include one or more of volatile and non-volatile memories, such as Random- Access Memory (“RAM”), Read-Only Memory (“ROM”), a solid state disk (“SSD”), Flash, Phase Change Memory (“PCM”), or other types of data storage.
  • RAM Random- Access Memory
  • ROM Read-Only Memory
  • SSD solid state disk
  • Flash Phase Change Memory
  • PCM Phase Change Memory
  • the storage device 308 may include storage for storing data or instructions.
  • storage device 308 can comprise a non-transitory storage medium described above.
  • the storage device 308 may include a hard disk drive (HDD), a floppy disk drive, Flash memory, an optical disc, a magneto-optical disc, magnetic tape, or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive or a combination of two or more of these.
  • the storage device 308 may include removable or non-removable (or fixed) media, where appropriate.
  • the storage device 308 may be internal or external to the computing storage device 308.
  • the storage device 308 is non-volatile, solid-state memory.
  • the storage device 308 includes read-only memory (ROM).
  • this ROM may be mask programmed ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), electrically alterable ROM (EAROM), or Flash memory or a combination of two or more of these.
  • the communication interface 302 can include hardware, software, or both.
  • the communication interface 302 may provide one or more interfaces for communication (such as, for example, packet-based communication) between the multi-row unit controller 228 and one or more other computing devices or networks.
  • the communication interface 302 may include a network interface controller (NIC) or network adapter for communicating with an Ethernet or other wire-based network or a wireless NIC (WNIC) or wireless adapter for communicating with a wireless network, such as a WI-FI.
  • NIC network interface controller
  • WNIC wireless NIC
  • the multi-row unit controller 228 may be in communication (e.g., wireless and/or wired communication) with one or more of the central controller 122 of the tractor 102 (FIG. 1) and the plurality of seed drive systems 208 of a plurality of row units 112 via the communication interface 302
  • the bus 310 may include hardware, software, or both that couples components of multi-row unit controller 228 to each other and to external components.
  • CAN Controller Area Network
  • the multi-row unit controller 228 may control operation of the plurality of seed drive systems 208 of the plurality of row units 112. Additionally, as depicted in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 the multi-row unit controller 228 may not be directly coupled to seed sensors (e.g., an optical sensor) of the plurality of row units 112 (e.g., sensors that are oriented and configured to detect the presence of seeds as the seeds pass through seed delivery mechanisms 210). In particular, the capabilities of the multi-row unit controller 228 may be dedicated (e.g., exclusively allocated) to controlling the seed drive systems 208 of a plurality of row units 112.
  • seed sensors e.g., an optical sensor
  • the capabilities of the multi-row unit controller 228 may be dedicated (e.g., exclusively allocated) to controlling the seed drive systems 208 of a plurality of row units 112.
  • the plurality of connections 312 connecting the seed drive systems 208 to the multi-row unit controller 228 may utilize all available control connection ports 402 of the multi-row unit controller 228. For instance, every control connection port 402 of the multi-row unit controller 228 may be occupied by a connection 312 to a seed drive system 208, and the multi-row unit controller 228 may not share a connection with devices via a control connection port 402 beyond seed drive systems 208 of row units 112.
  • control connection port may refer to portions (e.g., structure, sockets, interfaces, etc.) of the multi-row unit controller 228 available for connection to peripheral devices of which the multi-row unit controller 228 is configured to control and monitor operation.
  • a total number of available control connection ports 402 of the multi-row unit controller 228 may be equal to a total number of row units 112 operably connected to the multi-row unit controller 228.
  • a total number of available control connection ports 402 of the multi-row unit controller 228 may be larger than a total number of row units 112 operably connected to the multi-row unit controller 228; however, the extra (e.g., unoccupied) control connection ports 402 may be configured to only control and monitor seed drive systems 208.
  • the multi-row unit controller 228 may not receive data (e.g., input data and/or output data) directly from any devices beyond the central controller 122 and the seed drive systems 208 of row units 112, the operation of which the multi-row unit controller 228 is configured to control. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the multi-row unit controller 228 may not control or monitor operation of any devices beyond the seed drive systems 208 of row units 112.
  • data e.g., input data and/or output data
  • the multi-row unit controller 228 may not control or monitor operation of any devices beyond the seed drive systems 208 of row units 112.
  • the multi-row unit controller 228 may be limited to controlling and monitoring only a single type of seed drive systems 208 and may not control any other row unit functions.
  • controlling and monitoring multiple seed drive systems 208 may require at least substantially a full capability of the multi-row unit controller 228 and may prevent the multi-row unit controller 228 from controlling and/or monitoring other functions of the row units 112 (e.g., seed sensors, downhole force actuators and/or sensors).
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a seed drive system 208 according to some embodiments of the disclosure.
  • the seed drive system 208 may include a controller 502 operably coupled to a drive motor 504.
  • the controller 502 may include a communication interface 506, a processor 508, a memory 510, a storage device 512, and a bus 514.
  • the communication interface 506, the processor 508, the memory 510, the storage device 512, and the bus 514 may include any of the components described above in regard to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, and may operate in similar manners.
  • the controller 502 may be configured to control operation (e.g., driving speed) of the drive motor 504.
  • the seed drive system 208 of the current disclosure may include any of the seed drive systems (e.g., drive modules) described in U.S. Patent 9,999,175 B2, to Baurer et al., issued June 19, 2018.
  • the controller 502 may control operation of the drive motor 504 via any of the manners descried in U.S. Patent 9,999,175.
  • FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a method 602 of controlling operation of a plurality of row units 112 via a single multi-row unit controller 228.
  • one or more acts described in relation to the method 602 may be at least partially performed and/or initiated via software of the multi-row unit controller 228.
  • the method 602 may include receiving control data as shown in act 604 of FIG. 6.
  • Receiving control data may include receiving control data at the multi-row unit controller 228 and from central controller 122.
  • the control data may include information regarding a desired seeding rate prescription for a given operation (e.g., planting operation).
  • control data may include one or more of a desired number of seeds to be planted per acre (i.e., seed population) and/or a seeding rate (i.e., a number of seeds to be planted per unit distance to attain the desired seed population).
  • the multi-row unit controller 228 may receive the control data from the central controller 122 via one or more wired or wireless connections.
  • control data may be specific and unique to the row units 112 controlled by a given multi-row unit controller 228.
  • the control data may be specific and unique to a portion of an overall planting prescription that the specific row units 112 are anticipated to perform.
  • the control data may be specific to the four controlled row units 112 and the portion of the overall planting prescription to be effectuated by the four controlled row units 112.
  • the control data may be specific to a percentage of an overall seed population anticipated to be planted by the row units 112 controlled by the multi-row unit controller 228.
  • control data may include a seeding rate prescription specific to the row units 112 controlled by the multi-row unit controller 228.
  • the control data may include overall information (e.g., an overall seeding rate prescription for the implement 104 as a whole).
  • the method 602 may include receiving measurement data regarding current operation of seed drive systems 208 of row units 112 of the implement 104, as show in act 606.
  • the measurement data may be received at the multirow unit controller 228.
  • the measurement data may be received and/or determined at the central controller 122 and then provided to the multi-row unit controller 228.
  • the measurement data may include current row-specific speeds (e.g., velocity) of row units 112 of the implement 104.
  • the row-specific speed of each of the row units 112 of the implement 104 may be determined utilizing a measured speed of a center of the toolbar 116 (FIG. 1), a measured angular velocity -w of the toolbar 116, and a known transverse distance between a seed delivery mechanism 210 of a respective row unit 112 and a known center of the implement 104 using the following equation:
  • the measurement data and/or data utilized to determine the measurement may be acquired from one or more sensors of the implement 104 and/or tractor 102 (e.g., wheel speed sensors (e.g., Hall-effect speed sensors), gyroscopes, radar speed sensors, and the GPS 124).
  • wheel speed sensors e.g., Hall-effect speed sensors
  • gyroscopes e.g., radar speed sensors
  • GPS 124 e.g., GPS 124
  • the method 602 may further include, based at least partially on the received control data and the received measurement data, determining meter speed instructions to provide to the seed drive systems 208 of each of the row units 112 controlled by a respective multi-row unit controller 228 to achieve desired seed populations indicated in the control data.
  • the multi-row unit controller 228 may determine and generate meter speed instructions to provide to the seed drive systems 208 of each of the row units 112 controlled by a given multi-row unit controller 228 based at least partially on a desired number of seeds to be planted per acre or hectare (i.e., seed population), a seeding rate (i.e., a number of seeds to be planted to attain the desired seed population), and/or the row-specific speeds of each of the row units 112 controlled by the multi-row unit controller 228.
  • the meter speed instructions may be determined and generated for each seed drive system 208 of the row units 112 controlled by a given multi-row unit controller 228 individually (e.g., uniquely).
  • the meter speed instructions may be determined and generated specifically and uniquely for each seed drive system 208 of the row units 112 controlled by a given multi-row unit controller 228.
  • meter speed instructions may be determined and generated for the seed drive systems 208 of the row units 112 controlled by a respective multi-row unit controller 228 as a group.
  • the meter speed instructions may be determined and generated as an average based on received data, and the meter speed instructions may be the same for each of the seed drive systems 208 of the row units 112 controlled by the respective multi-row unit controller 228.
  • the meter speed instructions may include a desired number of the seed meter 206 rotations per unit of time (e.g., second). Furthermore, the meter speed instructions (i.e., rotations per second) may be determined based on a row-specific speed of a given row unit 112 utilizing the following equation:
  • Equation 2 it not limited to imperial units of measurement and can easily be utilized with metric units of measurement, where a size of an acre is about 4057 m 2 .
  • the method 602 may include providing the determined and generated meter speed instructions to the seed drive systems 208 of the row units 112 controlled by a given multi-row unit controller 228, as shown in act 610.
  • the multi-row unit controller 228 may provide specific meter speed instructions to each of the seed drive systems 208 of the row units 112 controlled by the given multi-row unit controller 228.
  • the multi-row unit controller 228 may provide that same meter speed instructions to each of the seed drive systems 208 of the row units 112 controlled by the given multi-row unit controller 228.
  • the multi-row unit controller 228 may provide the determined and generated meter speed instructions to the seed drive systems 208 via one or more of a wired or a wireless connection (e.g., connections 312).
  • the method 602 may further include continuously or iteratively repeating acts 606-610, as shown in act 612 of FIG. 6.
  • operation of the seed drive systems 208 may be at least substantially continuously or iteratively adjusted based on control data and/or measurement data as described above.
  • act 612 may further include repeating act 604 as well (e.g., receiving new control data and/or adjusted control data).
  • the method 602 may include determining a seed population and a seed spacing specific for each row unit 112 based at least partially on the row-specific speed of each row unit 112 and the meter speed instructions provided to the seed drive system 208 of each row unit 112, as shown in act 614.
  • the multi-row unit controller 228 may determine a seed population and a seed spacing specific to each row unit 112 having a seed drive system 208 that the multi-row unit controller 228 controls.
  • the determination of the seed population and the seed spacing of each row unit 112 may be further informed based at least partially on seed delivery data from a seed sensor that is not directly coupled to the multi-row unit controller 228.
  • the method 602 may include providing the determined seed population and the determined seed spacing for each row unit 112 to the central controller 122, as shown in act 616 of FIG. 6.
  • the multi-row unit controller 228 may provide the determined seed population and the determined seed spacing for each row unit 112 to the central controller 122 via one or more of a wired or wireless connection.
  • the method 602 may further include causing the seed population and seed spacing data to be displayed on the input/output device 126 of the central controller 122, as shown in act 618 of FIG. 6.
  • the central controller 122 may cause seed population and seed spacing data to be depicted within the GUI of the input/output device 126.
  • the seed population and seed spacing data may relate to individual row units 112, to a group of row units 112, and/or to the implement 104 as a whole.
  • an operator of the tractor 102 and implement 104 may utilize the displayed seed population and seed spacing data to determine whether operation of one or more seed drive systems 208 requires adjustment to meet a desired seed population and/or a desired seed spacing output.
  • the central controller 122 may determine whether operation of one or more seed drive systems 208 requires adjustment to meet a desired seed population and/or a desired seed spacing output and may provide new/adjusted control data to the multirow unit controller 228 without operator input.
  • the multi-row unit controller 228 and the method 602 of controlling seed drive systems 208 of a plurality of row units 112 via a single multi-row unit controller 228 of the current disclosure may provide advantages over conventional row unit controllers and methods of controlling seed drive systems.
  • row unit controllers are typically relatively expensive to build and/or purchase.
  • row unit controllers can be relatively difficult to obtain in general.
  • the multi-row unit controller 228 and the method 602 of controlling seed drive systems 208 of a plurality of row units 112 via a single multi-row unit controller 228 of the current disclosure may reduce costs (e.g., manufacturing costs, material costs) of producing row units and implements. Furthermore, by reducing a total number of required row unit controllers for an agricultural implement, the embodiments of the present disclosure enable increased production of implements due to fewer required parts and availability of parts, which may lead to increased sales and revenue. Moreover, by reducing a total number of required row unit controllers for an agricultural implement, the embodiments of the present disclosure may improve performance of implements by reducing potential failure points, and may improve the availability of replacement (i.e ., repair) parts.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Soil Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Sowing (AREA)

Abstract

Un outil agricole (104) comprend une barre d'outils (116) et une pluralité d'unités de rangée (112) supportées par la barre d'outils (116). Chaque unité de rangée (112) comprend un système d'entraînement de semences, un doseur de semences (206) accouplé de manière fonctionnelle au système d'entraînement de semences, et un mécanisme de distribution de semences (210) connecté au doseur de semences (206). L'outil (104) comprend en outre un dispositif de commande d'unité à rangées multiples (228) connecté de manière fonctionnelle, pour commander le fonctionnement de ceux-ci, à des systèmes d'entraînement de semences d'au moins deux unités de rangée (112) de la pluralité d'unités de rangée (112). Le dispositif de commande d'unité à rangées multiples (228) comprend une pluralité d'orifices de connexion de commande (402), un nombre total de la pluralité d'orifices de connexion de commande (402) du dispositif de commande d'unité à rangées multiples (228) étant égal à un nombre total de systèmes d'entraînement de semences auxquels le dispositif de commande d'unité à rangées multiples (228) est connecté de manière fonctionnelle.
PCT/IB2023/058177 2022-08-25 2023-08-14 Dispositif de commande d'unité à rangées multiples pour commander et surveiller des unités de rangée d'un outil agricole et procédé associé WO2024042426A1 (fr)

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GB2212355.8 2022-08-25
GBGB2212355.8A GB202212355D0 (en) 2022-08-25 2022-08-25 Multi-row unit controller for controlling and monitoring row units of an agricultural implement and related methods and systems

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20120265410A1 (en) * 2011-03-25 2012-10-18 Graham Toby E Method and apparatus for controlling seed population
US20160295792A1 (en) * 2013-11-25 2016-10-13 Agco Corporation Particulate delivery system with multiple particulate meters
US9999175B2 (en) 2012-07-25 2018-06-19 Precision Planting Llc Systems, methods and apparatus for multi-row agricultural implement control and monitoring

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20120265410A1 (en) * 2011-03-25 2012-10-18 Graham Toby E Method and apparatus for controlling seed population
US9999175B2 (en) 2012-07-25 2018-06-19 Precision Planting Llc Systems, methods and apparatus for multi-row agricultural implement control and monitoring
US20160295792A1 (en) * 2013-11-25 2016-10-13 Agco Corporation Particulate delivery system with multiple particulate meters

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