IP Library Granted Patent US 11,284,557
Granted Patent B2
US 11,284,557 · App. 16/367,847 · Granted Mar 29, 2022

Plugging control for an agricultural implement

Inventors: Christopher Schoeny (Minooka, IL); Trevor Stanhope (Palos Hills, IL); Darian Landolt (Evanston, IL)
Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
A01B71/08A01B79/005A01C5/064A01C5/068
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,284,557
App. No.
16/367,847
Granted
Mar 29, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A plugging control system for an agricultural implement includes a sensor configured to output a sensor signal indicative of plugging of a ground engaging component and a controller having a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to receive the sensor signal indicative of plugging of the ground engaging component from the sensor, determine whether the plugging exceeds a threshold value, and in response to the plugging exceeding the threshold value, output a monitoring signal to perform a monitoring operation, output a control signal to perform a control operation, or both.

Claims (37)

1. A plugging control system for an agricultural implement, comprising:

a sensor configured to output a sensor signal indicative of plugging of a ground engaging component, wherein the sensor is configured to sense the plugging of the ground engaging component by sensing a strain on the ground engaging component or on a linkage coupled to the ground engaging component; and

a controller comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the controller is configured to:

receive the sensor signal indicative of the plugging of the ground engaging component from the sensor;

determine whether the plugging exceeds a threshold value; and

in response to the plugging exceeding the threshold value, output a monitoring signal to perform a monitoring operation, output a control signal to perform a control operation, or both.

2. The plugging control system of claim 1 , wherein the monitoring operation comprises providing, at a user interface, an alert indicative of the plugging exceeding the threshold value.

3. The plugging control system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to sense residue buildup, root ball lodging, rock lodging, or a combination thereof.

4. The plugging control system of claim 1 , comprising an actuator coupled to the ground engaging component and configured to move the ground engaging component.

5. The plugging control system of claim 4 , wherein the control operation comprises the actuator moving the ground engaging component.

6. The plugging control system of claim 1 , wherein the ground engaging component comprises a closing system configured to close a furrow formed by the agricultural implement.

7. The plugging control system of claim 6 , wherein the closing system comprises a pair of closing disks and a press wheel.

8. The plugging control system of claim 6 , wherein the closing system comprises a pair of closing wheels.

9. The plugging control system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to determine the threshold value based on a depth of the ground engaging component.

10. The plugging control system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to determine the threshold value based on an orientation of the ground engaging component, one or more soil conditions, one or more soil properties, one or more residue conditions, one or more residue properties, weather, a type of agricultural product applied by the agricultural implement, one or more environmental conditions, or a combination thereof.

11. A plugging control system for an agricultural implement, comprising:

an actuator configured to move a row unit of the agricultural implement;

a sensor configured to output a sensor signal indicative of plugging of the row unit, wherein the sensor is configured to sense the plugging of the row unit by sensing a strain on the row unit; and

a controller comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the controller is configured to:

receive the sensor signal indicative of the plugging of the row unit from the sensor;

determine whether the plugging exceeds a threshold value; and

in response to the plugging exceeding the threshold value, output a monitoring signal to perform a monitoring operation, output a control signal to perform a control operation, or both.

12. The plugging control system of claim 11 , wherein the control operation comprises the actuator moving the row unit generally up and down, shaking the row unit, or both.

13. The plugging control system of claim 11 , wherein the control operation comprises adjusting a pressure applied by the row unit, via the actuator, to soil.

14. The plugging control system of claim 11 , wherein the plugging of the row unit comprises plugging of a ground engaging component of the row unit.

15. The plugging control system of claim 11 , wherein the monitoring operation comprises providing, at a user interface, an alert indicative of the plugging exceeding the threshold value.

16. An agricultural implement, comprising:

a row unit comprising a ground engaging component and a first actuator configured to move the ground engaging component;

a sensor configured to output a sensor signal indicative of plugging of the ground engaging component, wherein the sensor is configured to sense the plugging of the ground engaging component by sensing a strain on the ground engaging component or on a linkage coupled to the ground engaging component; and

a controller comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the controller is configured to:

receive the sensor signal indicative of the plugging of the ground engaging component from the sensor;

determine whether the plugging exceeds a threshold value; and

in response to the plugging exceeding the threshold value, output a monitoring signal to perform a monitoring operation, output a control signal to perform a control operation, or both.

17. The agricultural implement of claim 16 , comprising a second actuator, wherein the second actuator is configured to move the row unit, and the control operation comprises the second actuator moving the row unit generally up and down, shaking the row unit, or both.

18. The agricultural implement of claim 16 , wherein the control operation comprises the first actuator moving the ground engaging component.

19. The agricultural implement of claim 16 , wherein the ground engaging component comprises an opening system configured to form a furrow in soil.

20. The agricultural implement of claim 19 , wherein the control operation comprises adjusting a pressure applied by the opening system, via the first actuator, to soil.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 9, 2022
From: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
To: INC., BLUE LEAF I
Reel/Frame 060328/0428 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 1, 2019
From: SCHOENY, CHRISTOPHER; STANHOPE, TREVOR; LANDOLT, DARIAN
To: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
Reel/Frame 048758/0760 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20200305335A1 · Oct 1, 2020
Cited By (3)
US 12,648,506 US 12,653,081 US 12,690,505