Automatic volume-based frame weight distribution system and method

A system for automatically redistributing weight across a frame of an agricultural machine during operation thereof, the system comprising:

• the frame including:
• a center section, a first wing section coupled to the center section, and a second wing section coupled to the center section and positioned opposite the first wing section;
• a product storage system supported by the center section and including one or more tanks configured to store product usable in an operation of the agricultural machine;
• a first actuator coupled to the center section and to the first wing section;
• a second actuator coupled to the center section and to the second wing section;
• and
• at least one sensor configured to measure or detect a characteristic associated with the product stored in the product storage system;
• a first wheel assembly sensor configured to measure or detect a first characteristic associated with a first downward force applied at a first wheel assembly coupled to the first wing section;
• a second wheel assembly sensor configured to measure or detect a second characteristic associated with a second downward force applied at a second wheel assembly coupled to the second wing section;
• a controller operatively coupled to the first actuator, the second actuator, and the at least one sensor, wherein the controller is configured to adjust at least one of the first actuator and the second actuator to redistribute weight across the frame based on a comparison of the first and second characteristics and the determined weight available for transfer;
• a first sensor positioned at a first height in the product storage system and a second sensor positioned at a second height in the product storage system below the first sensor, wherein the first sensor is configured to detect whether a collection of product in the product storage system is positioned level with or above a first sensor and the second sensor is configured to detect whether the collection of product in the product storage system is positioned level with or above the second sensor;
• a third sensor configured to measure at least one of a singulation rate of seed and a flow rate of fertilizer output from the one or more tanks of the product storage system;
• wherein the controller is configured to:
• determine the volume of product in the product storage system based on at least one measured or detected characteristic associated with the product and received from the at least one sensor;
• determine, using the volume of product, a weight of the product in the product storage system available for transfer;
• determine the volume of product in the product storage system in response to receiving an indication from the second sensor that the collection of product is no longer equal to or above the second sensor;
• determine a volume of product remaining in the one or more tanks of the product storage using a signal from the third sensor;
• determine, upon receipt of a signal from the first sensor or the second sensor, (1) a volume of product remaining in the one or more tanks of the product storage system using the signal from the first sensor or the second sensor, and (2) replace the volume determined using the signal from the third signal with the volume determined using the signal from the first sensor or the second sensor;
• and
• determine, upon receipt of an updated signal from the third sensor, (1) a volume of product remaining in the one or more tanks of the product storage system using the updated signal, and (2) replace the volume determined using the signal from the first sensor or the second sensor with the volume determined using the updated signal.

A system for automatically redistributing weight across a frame of an agricultural machine during operation thereof, the system comprising:

• the frame including:
• a center section, a first wing section coupled to the center section, and a second wing section coupled to the center section and positioned opposite the first wing section;
• a product storage system supported by the center section and including one or more tanks configured to store product usable in an operation of the agricultural machine;
• a first actuator coupled to the center section and to the first wing section;
• a second actuator coupled to the center section and to the second wing section;
• and
• at least one sensor configured to measure or detect a characteristic associated with the product stored in the product storage system;
• a first wheel assembly sensor configured to measure or detect a first characteristic associated with a first downward force applied at a first wheel assembly coupled to the first wing section, wherein the first wheel assembly comprises a first tire, and wherein the first wheel assembly sensor is configured to capture a first set of images of the soil prior to compaction by the first tire and a second set of images subsequent to compaction by the first tire;
• a second wheel assembly sensor configured to measure or detect a second characteristic associated with a second downward force applied at a second wheel assembly coupled to the second wing section;
• a third wheel assembly and a third wheel assembly sensor, the third wheel assembly coupled to the center frame and comprising a second tire, wherein the third wheel assembly sensor is configured to capture a third set of images of the soil prior to compaction by the second tire and a fourth set of images subsequent to compaction by the second tire;
• a controller operatively coupled to the first actuator, the second actuator, and the at least one sensor;
• wherein the controller is configured to determine the volume of product in the product storage system based on at least one measured or detected characteristic associated with the product and received from the at least one sensor;
• wherein the controller is configured to determine, using the volume of product, a weight of the product in the product storage system available for transfer;
• wherein the controller is configured to adjust at least one of the first actuator and the second actuator to redistribute weight across the frame based on a comparison of the first and second characteristics and the determined weight available for transfer;
• wherein the controller is configured to determine a first change in compaction based on a comparison between the first set of images and the second set of images, and determine a second change in compaction based on a comparison between the third set of images and the fourth set of images;
• and
• wherein the controller is configured to adjust the first actuator based on a comparison between the first change in compaction and the second change in compaction.

A method of automatically redistributing weight across a frame of an agricultural machine during operation thereof, the method comprising:

• determining a volume of product in a product storage system of the agricultural machine, wherein the product storage system is supported by the frame;
• determining a type of product in the product storage system based on input received from a user interface;
• determining a weight of the product in the product storage system based on the determined type and determined volume of product in the product storage system;
• determining a first characteristic associated with a first downward force applied at a first wheel assembly coupled to a first wing section positioned adjacent to a center section of the frame;
• determining a second characteristic associated with a second downward force applied at a second wheel assembly coupled to a second wing section of the frame positioned adjacent to the center section and opposite the first wing section;
• determining a corrected determined weight available for transfer, the corrected determined weight being calculated by reconciling information from at least a discrete sensor and a singulation sensor or a tank camera, wherein the reconciliation is performed using an error constant or a learning module;
• adjusting, to redistribute weight across the frame, a first actuator coupled to the center section and to the first wing section, wherein such adjustment of the first actuator includes distributing weight based on a comparison of the first and second characteristics and the corrected determined weight, the corrected determined weight being determined before each such adjustment of the first actuator;
• adjusting, to redistribute weight across the frame, a second actuator coupled to the center section and to the second wing section, wherein such adjustment of adjusting the second actuator includes distributing weight based on a comparison of the first and second characteristics and the corrected determined weight, the corrected determined weight being determined before each such adjustment of the second actuator;
• and
• repeating the determining and adjusting steps throughout operation of the agricultural machine.

A method of automatically redistributing weight across a frame of an agricultural machine during operation thereof, the method comprising:

• determining the weight of a measured volume of product within a product storage system supported by the frame, wherein determining the weight of the measured volume of product includes measuring or detecting, with a first set of one or more sensors, a characteristic associated with the product in the product storage system;
• measuring, with a second set of one or more sensors, a first operational characteristic of the agricultural machine, wherein the first operational characteristic is associated with one or more row units or one or more wheel assemblies coupled to the frame of the agricultural machine;
• measuring, with a third set of one or more sensors, a second operational characteristic of the agricultural machine, wherein the second operational characteristic is also associated with one or more row units or one or more wheel assemblies coupled to the frame of the agricultural machine;
• comparing the first measured operational characteristic with the second measured operational characteristic;
• and
• adjusting an actuator coupled to a center section of the frame and to a wing section of the frame to redistribute the weight of the measured volume of product based on a corrected determined weight of the product within the product storage system and the comparison between the first measured operational characteristic and the second measured operational characteristic, the corrected determined weight being calculated before each adjustment of the actuator for redistribution of the weight by reconciling information from at least a discrete sensor and a singulation sensor or a tank camera, wherein the reconciliation is performed using an error constant or a learning module.