Automated leveling and depth control system of a work machine and method thereof
AssigneeDeere & Company
InventorsAdam D. Sporrer, Anthony Sikora, Rick B. Theilen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An agricultural implement includes a transversely extending frame forming a first, a second, and a third frame section. A first actuator is coupled to the first frame section, a second actuator coupled to the second frame section, and a third actuator coupled to the third frame section. Sensors are coupled to each frame section to detect a height of the respective frame section relative to an underlying surface. A control unit is disposed in electrical communication with the sensors and operably controls the actuators to adjust the height of each frame section.
Claims15
An agricultural implement, comprising:
- a transversely extending frame forming at least a first frame section, a second frame section, and a third frame section, where the first frame section is disposed between the second and third frame sections;
- a hitch member configured to couple to a work machine, the hitch member being coupled to at least one of the first, second, and third frame sections;
- a first actuator coupled to the first frame section, a second actuator coupled to the second frame section, and a third actuator coupled to the third frame section;
- a first sensor coupled to the first frame section, the first sensor configured to detect a first height of the first frame section from an underlying surface;
- a second sensor coupled to the second frame section, the second sensor configured to detect a second height of the second frame section from the underlying surface;
- a third sensor coupled to the third frame section, the third sensor configured to detect a third height of the third frame section from the underlying surface;
- a control unit disposed in electrical communication with the first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor, the controller operably controlling the first actuator, the second actuator and the third actuator;
- wherein, the control unit compares the first height, the second height, and the third height to one another and determines if each height is equal to or within a threshold limit of one another;
- further wherein, when one of the first height, second height or third height is determined not to be equal to or within the threshold limit of the other two heights, the controller determines which frame section is uneven with the other two frame sections and actuates the actuator that is coupled to the uneven frame section until the first height, second height, and third height are equal or within the threshold limit of one another.
A method of leveling an agricultural implement having a transversely extending frame forming a center frame section, a first frame section disposed on one side of the center frame section, and a second frame section disposed on an opposite side of the center frame section, the method comprising:
- providing a fluid source, a control unit, one or more actuators coupled to each frame section, a plurality of sensors coupled to each frame section, and a plurality of tools coupled to each frame section;
- detecting a height of the first frame section relative to an underlying surface with a first sensor of the plurality of sensors, a height of the second frame section relative to the underlying surface with a second sensor of the plurality of sensors, and a height of the center frame section relative to the underlying surface with a third sensor of the plurality of sensors;
- comparing the height of the first frame section, the height of the second frame section, and the height of the center frame section relative to one another by the control unit;
- and
- determining an uneven frame section based on the comparing step if the height of one of the frame sections is not equal to or within a threshold limit of the heights of the other two frame sections;
- wherein, when the height of one of the frame sections is determined not to be equal to or within a threshold limit of the heights of the other two frame sections, the method further comprises:
- fluidly coupling the fluid source to a first actuator if the height of the first frame section is uneven with the other two frame sections, to a second actuator if the height of the second frame section is uneven with the other two frame sections, or to a third actuator if the height of the center frame section is uneven with the other two frame sections;
- actuating the respective actuator corresponding to the uneven frame section until the height of each frame section is equal to or within a threshold limit of one another;
- and
- leveling the center frame section, first frame section, and second frame section relative to one another.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.