Agricultural implements having sensors to detect plugging of row units, and related control systems and methods
An agricultural implement includes a frame having an elongate toolbar carrying a plurality of row units. A sensor is configured to detect residue accumulation between adjacent row units. An actuator is configured to raise or lower a row unit based at least in part on the residue accumulation detected by the sensor. Control systems and related methods are also disclosed.
1 . A planter implement, comprising:
a frame having an elongate toolbar carrying a plurality of planter row units, each planter row unit coupled to the toolbar by a parallel linkage;
a sensor configured to detect residue accumulation between adjacent planter row units of the plurality, wherein the sensor has a field of view encompassing at least two adjacent planter row units of the plurality; and
an actuator configured to raise or lower at least one planter row unit of the plurality based at least in part on the residue accumulation detected by the sensor.
2 . The implement of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a camera.
3 . The implement of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to detect a distance to residue.
4 . The implement of claim 3 , wherein the sensor is configured to detect a reflected electromagnetic signal.
5 . The implement of claim 4 , wherein the sensor is configured to detect a signal selected from the group consisting of laser, radar, and ultrasonic.
6 . The implement of claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to receive information from the sensor and control the actuator based on the information.
7 . The implement of claim 6 , further comprising a control component configured to drive the actuator, wherein the controller is configured to send a control signal to the control component.
8 . The implement of claim 7 , wherein the control component comprises a component selected from the group consisting of a control valve, an air valve, an electronic control component, a magnetic control component, and an electromagnetic control component.
9 . The implement of claim 1 , further comprising another sensor configured to detect additional residue accumulation between other adjacent planter row units of the plurality.
10 . The implement of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured to raise or lower the at least one planter row unit of the plurality relative to the toolbar.
11 . The implement of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured to raise or lower the toolbar relative to the frame.
12 . A control system for a planter implement comprising a frame having an elongate toolbar carrying a plurality of planter row units, each planter row unit coupled to the toolbar by a parallel linkage; the control system comprising:
a sensor configured to detect residue accumulation between adjacent planter row units of the plurality, wherein the sensor has a field of view encompassing at least two adjacent planter row units of the plurality;
an actuator configured to raise or lower
at least one planter row unit; and
a controller configured to receive a signal from the sensor indicating residue accumulation and cause the actuator to raise or lower the at least one planter row unit based at least in part on the residue accumulation between the adjacent planter row units.
13 . The control system of claim 12 , wherein the sensor comprises a camera.
14 . The control system of claim 12 , further comprising a control component configured to drive the actuator responsive to a control signal from the controller.
15 . A computer-implemented method for operating a planter implement that comprises a frame having an elongate toolbar carrying a plurality of planter row units coupled to the toolbar by parallel linkages, and a sensor having a field of view encompassing at least two adjacent planter row units, the method comprising:
receiving an indication of residue accumulation between the adjacent planter row units from the sensor; and
causing an actuator to raise or lower at least one planter row unit responsive to the residue accumulation.
16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising alerting an operator of the residue accumulation.
17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein causing the actuator to raise or lower the at least one planter row unit comprises terminating forward motion of the implement while the actuator raises or lowers the at least one planter row unit.
18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein causing the actuator to raise or lower the at least one planter row unit comprises sending a control signal to a control component associated with the actuator.
19 . The method of claim 15 , wherein receiving an indication of residue accumulation between the adjacent planter row units from the sensor comprises receiving a photograph from the sensor.
20 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising detecting an electromagnetic signal with the sensor to identify the residue accumulation.