Patent Description:
It is well known that, to attain the best agricultural performance from a field, a farmer must cultivate the soil, typically by performing a tillage operation. Modern farmers perform tillage operations by pulling a tillage implement behind an agricultural work vehicle, such as a tractor. Tillage implements typically include a plurality of ground-engaging tools configured to penetrate the soil to a particular depth. In this respect, the ground-engaging tools may be pivotably coupled to a frame of the tillage implement. In many instances, biasing elements, such as springs, are used to exert biasing forces on the ground-engaging tools. This configuration may allow the ground-engaging tools to be biased towards a desired position relative to the frame, thereby maintaining the particular depth of soil penetration as the agricultural work vehicle pulls the tillage implement through the field. Additionally, this configuration may also permit the ground-engaging tools to pivot out of the way of rocks or other impediments in the soil, thereby preventing damage to the ground-engaging tools or other components on the implement.

In addition to such biasing elements, tillage implements often utilize a shear-bolt mounting arrangement in which shear pins or bolts are used to couple the ground-engaging tools to the frame or associated attachment structure. In such an embodiment, the shear pins serve to protect the ground-engaging tools from excessive loading that would otherwise substantially damage or break the tools. For instance, the shear pins may break when the adjustability provided by the associated biasing element is insufficient, which allows a ground-engaging tool to pivot out of the way of rocks or other impediments in the soil and prevent the ground-engaging tool from damage.

When a shear pin breaks during the performance of an agricultural operation, the associated ground-engaging tool typically will no longer be capable of effectively working the soil. However, with current implement configurations, it is often very difficult for the operator to determine when one or more of the shear pins have failed. As such, an extensive portion of the field may have been worked before discovering the broken shear pin(s), which negatively affects subsequent field operations and, ultimately, yields.

Patent application publication <CIT> discloses a system for monitoring the operational status of ground-engaging tools of an agricultural implement. The system includes a frame and an assembly including an attachment structure configured to be coupled to the frame and a ground-engaging tool pivotably coupled to the attachment structure at a pivot point. The system further includes a shear pin at least partially extending through both the attachment structure and ground-engaging tool to prevent pivoting of the ground-engaging tool about the pivot point. Additionally, the system includes a sensor configured to detect a load applied through a pivot member extending through at least one of the frame or assembly at any pivot point between the frame and the ground engaging tool and a controller, communicatively coupled to the sensor, configured to determine a change in the working condition of the shear pin based on the detected load applied through the pivot member.

Accordingly, a system and method for determining the remaining fatigue life of a shear pin of a ground-engaging system of an agricultural implement would be welcomed in the technology.

The solution to the technical problem is achieved by the subject-matter of independent claims <NUM> and <NUM>, defining per se the invention. Particular embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

In one aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a system for determining the remaining fatigue life of a shear pin of a ground engaging system of an agricultural implement. The system includes a ground-engaging system which has an attachment structure coupled to a frame of an agricultural implement, a ground-engaging tool pivotably coupled to the attachment structure at a pivot j oint, a shear pin at least partially extending through the attachment structure and the ground-engaging tool to prevent pivoting of the ground-engaging tool about the pivot joint, and a biasing element coupled between the attachment structure and the ground-engaging tool, the biasing element configured to bias the ground-engaging tool towards a ground-engaging position. The system further includes at least one sensor configured to generate data indicative of a load on at least one component of the ground-engaging system. Additionally, the system includes a controller communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor, the controller being configured to determine a remaining fatigue life of the shear pin based at least in part on the data indicative of the load on the at least one component of the ground-engaging system. The at least one component may comprise the ground-engaging tool and the data may be indicative of a load on the ground-engaging tool. The at least one sensor may comprise one or more of an accelerometer or a strain gauge coupled to the ground-engaging tool. The system may further comprise a support pin at least partially extending through the attachment structure and the ground-engaging tool at the pivot joint to allow the ground-engaging tool to pivot relative to the attachment structure. The at least one component may comprise the support pin and the data may be indicative of a load on the support pin. The at least one sensor may comprise a strain gauge coupled to the support pin. A fatigue life threshold of the shear pin may be less than a fatigue life threshold of the support pin. The at least one component may comprise the biasing element and the data may be indicative of a load on the biasing element. The at least one sensor may comprise one or more of a string potentiometer and a differential transformer coupled to the biasing element. The at least one component may comprise the shear pin and the data may be indicative of a load on the shear pin. The at least one sensor may comprise a strain gauge coupled to the shear pin. The controller may be further configured to control an operation of the agricultural implement when the remaining fatigue life is less than or equal to a fatigue life threshold. Controlling the operation of the agricultural implement may comprise at least one of controlling a user interface of the agricultural implement to notify an operator of the agricultural implement of the remaining fatigue life or stopping the agricultural implement.

In another non-claimed aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a shank assembly of an agricultural implement. The shank assembly includes an attachment structure coupled to a frame of an agricultural implement, a shank pivotably coupled to the attachment structure at a pivot j oint, a support pin at least partially extending through the attachment structure and the shank at the pivot joint to allow the shank to pivot relative to the attachment structure, a shear pin at least partially extending through the attachment structure and the shank at a location spaced from the pivot joint to prevent pivoting of the shank about the pivot joint, and a biasing element coupled between the attachment structure and the shank, the biasing element configured to bias the shank towards a ground-engaging position. The shank assembly further includes at least one sensor configured to generate data indicative of at least one of a load on the shank, a load on the support pin, or a load on the biasing element. Additionally, the shank assembly includes a controller communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor, the controller being configured to determine a remaining fatigue life of the shear pin based at least in part on the data indicative of the at least one of the load on the shank, the load on the support pin, or the load on biasing element. The controller may be further configured to control an operation of the agricultural implement when the remaining fatigue life is less than or equal to a fatigue life threshold.

In an additional aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a method for determining a remaining fatigue life of a shear pin of a ground engaging system of an agricultural implement. The ground engaging system has an attachment structure configured to be coupled to a frame of the agricultural implement, a ground-engaging tool pivotably coupled to the attachment structure at a pivot joint, a shear pin at least partially extending through the attachment structure and the ground-engaging tool, and a biasing element configured to bias the ground-engaging tool towards a ground-engaging position. The method includes receiving, with one or more computing devices, data from at least one sensor, the data being indicative of a load on at least one component of the ground-engaging system. The method further includes determining, with the one or more computing devices, a remaining fatigue life of the shear pin based at least in part on the data indicative of the load on the at least one component of the ground-engaging system. Additionally, the method includes controlling, with the one or more computing devices, an operation of the agricultural implement based at least in part on the remaining fatigue life of the shear pin. The data may be indicative of at least one of: a load on the ground-engaging tool, a load on a support pin, the support pin at least partially extending through the attachment structure and the ground-engaging tool at the pivot joint to allow the ground-engaging tool to pivot relative to the attachment structure, a load on the biasing element, or a load on the shear pin. Controlling the operation of the agricultural implement may comprise controlling the operation of the agricultural implement when the remaining fatigue life is equal to or less than a fatigue life threshold. Controlling the operation of the agricultural implement may comprise at least one of controlling a user interface of the agricultural implement to notify an operator of the agricultural implement of the remaining fatigue life or stopping the agricultural implement. The ground-engaging tool may comprise a shank.

In general, the present subject matter is directed to systems and methods for determining the remaining fatigue life of a shear pin of a ground-engaging system of an agricultural implement. Specifically, in several embodiments, the disclosed system may be used to determine the remaining fatigue life of a shear bolt or pin of a ground-engaging system, where the shear pin prevents a ground-engaging tool, such as a shank, from pivoting during normal operation of the ground engaging system about a pivot joint coupling the ground-engaging tool to a frame of an agricultural implement. For instance, the disclosed system may include one or more sensors configured to monitor the load on a component of the ground-engaging system to determine the remaining fatigue life of the shear pin. For example, the disclosed system may include indirect sensors, such as a sensor configured to generate data indicative of a load on a spring configured to bias the ground-engaging tool towards engagement with a field, a sensor configured to generate data indicative of a load on the support bolt of the pivot joint about which the shank is pivotable, and/or a sensor configured to generate data indicative of a load on the shank itself. Alternatively, or additionally, the disclosed system may include direct sensors, such as a sensor configured to generate data indicative of a direct load on the shear pin. A controller of the system may be configured to receive the data from the indirect sensor(s) and/or the direct sensor(s) and, in turn, determine the remaining fatigue life on the shear pin. Based on the remaining fatigue life, the controller may further indicate the remaining fatigue life to an operator and/or slow down/stop the implement. As such, the disclosed system and method allow the fatigue status of a shear pin to be actively monitored, thereby allowing an operator to replace the shear pin before it fails and/or take other steps/actions in view of the remaining fatigue life of the shear pin.

Referring now to the drawings, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate differing perspective views of one embodiment of an agricultural implement <NUM> in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. Specifically, <FIG> illustrates a perspective view of the agricultural implement <NUM> coupled to a work vehicle <NUM>. Additionally, <FIG> illustrates a perspective view of the implement <NUM>, particularly illustrating various components of the implement <NUM>.

In general, the implement <NUM> may be configured to be towed across a field in a direction of travel (e.g., as indicated by arrow <NUM> in <FIG>) by the work vehicle <NUM>. As shown, the implement <NUM> may be configured as a tillage implement, and the work vehicle <NUM> may be configured as an agricultural tractor. However, in other embodiments, the implement <NUM> may be configured as any other suitable type of implement, such as a seed-planting implement, a fertilizer-dispensing implement, and/or the like. Similarly, the work vehicle <NUM> may be configured as any other suitable type of vehicle, such as an agricultural harvester, a self-propelled sprayer, and/or the like.

As shown in <FIG>, the work vehicle <NUM> may include a pair of front track assemblies <NUM>, a pair or rear track assemblies <NUM>, and a frame or chassis <NUM> coupled to and supported by the track assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>. An operator's cab <NUM> may be supported by a portion of the chassis <NUM> and may house various input devices for permitting an operator to control the operation of one or more components of the work vehicle <NUM> and/or one or more components of the implement <NUM>. Additionally, as is generally understood, the work vehicle <NUM> may include an engine <NUM> and a transmission <NUM> mounted on the chassis <NUM>. The transmission <NUM> may be operably coupled to the engine <NUM> and may provide variably adjusted gear ratios for transferring engine power to the track assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> via a drive axle assembly (not shown) (or via axles if multiple drive axles are employed).

As shown particularly in <FIG>, the implement <NUM> may include a frame <NUM>. More specifically, the frame <NUM> may extend longitudinally between a forward end <NUM> and an aft end <NUM>. The frame <NUM> may also extend laterally between a first side <NUM> and a second side <NUM>. In this respect, the frame <NUM> generally includes a plurality of structural frame members <NUM>, such as beams, bars, and/or the like, configured to support or couple to a plurality of components. Furthermore, a hitch assembly <NUM> may be connected to the frame <NUM> and configured to couple the implement <NUM> to the work vehicle <NUM>. Additionally, a plurality of wheels <NUM> (one of which is shown in <FIG>) may be coupled to the frame <NUM> to facilitate towing the implement <NUM> in the direction of travel <NUM>.

In several embodiments, one or more ground-engaging tools may be coupled to and/or supported by the frame <NUM>. More particularly, in certain embodiments, the ground-engaging tools may include one or more shanks <NUM> and/or one or more disc blades <NUM> supported relative to the frame <NUM>. In one embodiment, each shank <NUM> and/or disc blade <NUM> may be individually supported relative to the frame <NUM>. Alternatively, one or more groups or sections of the ground-engaging tools may be ganged together to form one or more ganged tool assemblies, such as the disc gang assemblies <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, each disc gang assembly <NUM> includes a toolbar <NUM> coupled to the implement frame <NUM> and a plurality of disc blades <NUM> supported by the toolbar <NUM> relative to the implement frame <NUM>. Each disc blade <NUM> may, in turn, be configured to penetrate into or otherwise engage the soil as the implement <NUM> is being pulled through the field. As is generally understood, the various disc gang assemblies <NUM> may be oriented at an angle relative to the direction of travel <NUM> to promote more effective tilling of the soil.

It should be appreciated that, in addition to the shanks <NUM> and the disc blades <NUM>, the implement frame <NUM> may be configured to support any other suitable ground-engaging tools. For instance, in the illustrated embodiment, the frame <NUM> is also configured to support a plurality of leveling blades <NUM> and rolling (or crumbler) basket assemblies <NUM>. In other embodiments, any other suitable ground-engaging tools may be coupled to and supported by the implement frame <NUM>.

It should be appreciated that the configuration of the implement <NUM> described above and shown in <FIG> and <FIG> is provided only to place the present subject matter in an exemplary field of use. Thus, it should be appreciated that the present subject matter may be readily adaptable to any manner of implement configuration.

Referring now to <FIG>, a side-view of a shank assembly <NUM> including one of the shanks <NUM> of the tillage implement <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG> and <FIG> is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the shank assembly <NUM> includes the shank <NUM> and an associated attachment structure <NUM> for pivotably coupling the shank <NUM> to the implement frame <NUM> (e.g., about a first pivot point <NUM>). More particularly, the attachment structure <NUM> includes a first attachment member <NUM>, a second attachment member <NUM>, and a third attachment member <NUM>. The first attachment member <NUM> is fixed to the implement frame <NUM> (e.g., to frame member <NUM>). A first end of the second attachment member <NUM> is pivotably coupled to the first attachment member <NUM> at the first pivot joint <NUM>. The third attachment member <NUM> is fixed to a second end of the second attachment member <NUM>.

The shank <NUM> extends between a proximal or tip end 50A and a distal end 50B, with the shank <NUM> being pivotably coupled to the attachment structure <NUM> (e.g., to the third attachment member <NUM>) of the shank assembly <NUM> at a second pivot point <NUM> proximate the distal end 50B. For instance, the shank <NUM> may be coupled to the third attachment member <NUM> via an associated pivot member <NUM> (e.g., a support pivot bolt or pin, hereinafter referred to as "the support pin <NUM>") extending through both the shank <NUM> and the attachment member <NUM> at the second pivot point <NUM>. As such, the shank <NUM> may pivot about the second pivot point <NUM> relative to the frame <NUM> independent of the pivoting about the first pivot point <NUM>.

Further, as shown in <FIG>, the shank assembly <NUM> may include a shear bolt or pin <NUM> (hereinafter referred to as "the shear pin <NUM>") for preventing pivoting of the shank <NUM> about the second pivot point <NUM> during normal operation of the tillage implement. For instance, the shear pin <NUM> at least partially extends through both the attachment structure <NUM> (e.g., through third attachment member <NUM>) and the shank <NUM> at a location spaced apart from the second pivot point <NUM>. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the shear pin <NUM> is received within openings formed above the second pivot point <NUM> in the attachment member <NUM> and the shank <NUM>. However, the shear pin <NUM> may be positioned at any other suitable location relative to the second pivot point <NUM>. In one embodiment, the shear pin <NUM> may correspond to a mechanical pin designed such that the pin breaks when a predetermined force is applied through the pin or a certain amount of fatigue of the pin has occurred. For instance, the shear pin <NUM> may be designed to withstand normal or expected loading conditions for the shank <NUM> and fail when the loads applied through the shear pin <NUM> exceed or substantially exceed such normal/expected loading conditions or when the fatigue life of the shear pin <NUM> is reached. Particularly, the shear pin <NUM> may be configured to fail before other components of the shank assembly <NUM>. More particularly, the shear pin <NUM> is configured to fail before the support pin <NUM> and the shank <NUM>. As such, the shear pin <NUM> has a lower fatigue life threshold (e.g., a shorter fatigue life) than a fatigue life threshold of the support pin <NUM> and a fatigue life threshold of the shank <NUM>. Accordingly, the shear pin <NUM> may break to protect at least the support pin <NUM> and/or the shank <NUM> from damage or failure as will be described in greater detail below.

Additionally, in several embodiments, the shank assembly <NUM> may include a biasing element <NUM> for biasing the shank <NUM> towards a ground-engaging tool position relative to the frame <NUM>. In general, the shank <NUM> is configured to penetrate the soil to a desired depth when the shank <NUM> is in the ground-engaging tool position. In operation, the biasing element <NUM> may permit relative movement between the shank <NUM> and the frame <NUM>. For example, the biasing element <NUM> may be configured to bias the shank <NUM> (and the attachment structure <NUM>) to pivot relative to the frame <NUM> in a first pivot direction (e.g., as indicated by arrow <NUM>). The biasing element <NUM> also allow the shank <NUM> (and the attachment structure <NUM>) to pivot away from the ground-engaging tool position (e.g., to a shallower depth of penetration), such as in a second pivot direction (e.g., as indicated by arrow <NUM> in <FIG>) opposite the first pivot direction <NUM>, when encountering rocks or other impediments in the field. In the embodiment shown, the biasing element <NUM> is configured as a spring. It should be recognized, however, that the biasing element <NUM> may be configured as an actuator or any other suitable biasing element.

During normal operation, the tip end 50A of the shank <NUM> may encounter impediments in the field causing the shank assembly <NUM> to rotate about the first pivot point <NUM> in the second pivot direction <NUM>. Typically, the shank <NUM> will pivot upwards in the second pivot direction <NUM> about the first pivot point <NUM> to clear the impediment and then will return to its home or ground-engaging position via the action of the biasing element <NUM>. However, in certain instances, a larger amount of force than typical may be transmitted through the shank assembly <NUM> and/or the shear pin <NUM> may reach its fatigue limit. In such instances the shear pin <NUM> may be designed to fracture or fail, thereby allowing the shank <NUM> to rotate about the second pivot point <NUM> relative to the attachment member <NUM>. For instance, the shank <NUM> may rotate about the second pivot point <NUM> (as indicated by arrow <NUM> in <FIG>) to the shank position indicated by dashed lines in <FIG>. As such, when the shear pin <NUM> has failed, the shank <NUM> can no longer perform the tillage operation. As indicated above, the longer an operator continues to perform the tillage operation with the broken shear pin <NUM>, the worse the overall quality of the tillage operation.

As such, in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter, the shank assembly <NUM> further includes one or more sensors <NUM> for monitoring a load on one or more of the components of the shank assembly <NUM>, where the data from the sensor(s) <NUM> may be used to determine a remaining fatigue life of the shear pin <NUM>. For instance, in some embodiments, the sensor(s) <NUM> may include one or more indirect sensors, such as one or more support pin sensors 102A configured to generate data indicative of a load on the support pin <NUM>, one or more biasing element sensors 102B configured to generate data indicative of a load on the biasing element <NUM>, and/or one or more shank sensors 102C configured to generate data indicative of a load on the shank <NUM>. More particularly, the support pin sensor(s) 102A is configured to generate data indicative of a strain and/or shear force acting on the support pin <NUM>. For instance, in some embodiments, the support pin sensor(s) 102A includes a strain gauge coupled to the support pin. For example, in one embodiment, the support pin <NUM> is configured as a load pin, having the support pin sensor(s) 102A provided at least partially within the support pin <NUM>. The biasing element sensor(s) 102B is configured to generate data indicative of a displacement of the biasing element <NUM> from a base or rest position. For instance, in some embodiments, the biasing element sensor(s) 102B includes one or more of a string potentiometer, a differential transformer, and/or the like coupled to the biasing element <NUM>. The shank sensor(s) 102C is configured to generate data indicative of an acceleration and/or a strain on the shank <NUM>. For example, in some embodiments, the shank sensor(s) 102C includes an accelerometer and/or a strain gauge coupled to the ground-engaging tool. It should be appreciated that indirect sensors (e.g., sensors 102A, 102B, 102C) may be less expensive as they are coupled to components or elements of the shank assembly <NUM> that are not designed to fail and, as such, are less likely to be lost or broken.

Additionally, or alternatively, the sensor(s) <NUM> may include one or more direct sensors, such as one or more shear pin sensors 102D configured to generate data indicative of a load on the shear pin <NUM> itself. More particularly, the shear pin sensor(s) 102D is configured to generate data indicative of a strain and/or shear force acting on the shear pin <NUM>. For instance, in some embodiments, the shear pin sensor(s) 102D includes a strain gauge coupled to the shear pin <NUM>. For example, in one embodiment, the shear pin <NUM> is configured as a load pin, having the shear pin sensor(s) 102D provided at least partially within the shear pin <NUM>. It should be appreciated that by using direct sensors (e.g., sensor(s) 102D), the remaining fatigue life determined may be more accurate than when using indirect sensors alone.

It should be appreciated, however, that the sensor(s) <NUM> may be configured to generate data indicative of any other suitable load acting on the support pin <NUM>, the shear pin <NUM>, the biasing element <NUM>, and/or the shank <NUM> and, as such, may be configured as any other suitable sensor(s). It should additionally be appreciated that the sensor(s) <NUM> may be configured to generate data indicative of the load on any other suitable component of the shank assembly (e.g., the load on the attachment members <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the first pivot joint <NUM>, etc.).

As will be described below in greater detail, a controller of the disclosed system may be communicatively coupled to the sensor(s) <NUM> (e.g., sensor(s) 102A, 102B, 102C, 102D). The controller may be configured to indirectly and/or directly determine the remaining fatigue life of the associated shear pin <NUM> based on the data received from the sensor(s) <NUM> indicative of the load on the support pin <NUM>, the load on the biasing element <NUM>, the load on the shank <NUM>, and/or the load on the shear pin <NUM> itself. In general, the remaining fatigue life may be determined based on the monitored load associated with one of the components of the shank assembly (e.g., based on data from a single sensor <NUM>) or cumulatively determined based on the monitored load associated with two or more of the components of the shank assembly (e.g., based on data from a combination of the above-described sensors <NUM>). Based on the remaining fatigue life, the controller may control an operation of the agricultural implement <NUM> to avoid failure of the shear pin <NUM> during a tillage operation or notify the operator of the remaining fatigue life of the shear pin.

Referring now to <FIG>, a schematic view of one embodiment of a system <NUM> for determining the remaining fatigue life of a shear pin of a ground-engaging system of an agricultural implement is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. In general, the system <NUM> will be described herein with reference to the implement <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG> and <FIG> and the shank assembly <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>. However, it should be appreciated that, in general, the disclosed system <NUM> may be utilized with any suitable implement having any suitable implement configuration to allow the remaining fatigue life of a shear pin of a ground-engaging system of the implement to be determined. Moreover, it should be appreciated that the disclosed system <NUM> may be used with any other suitable ground-engaging tool of an agricultural implement.

As shown in <FIG>, the system <NUM> may include a controller <NUM> and various other components configured to be communicatively coupled to and/or controlled by the controller <NUM>. For instance, the controller <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to the sensor(s) <NUM> (e.g., the sensors 102A, 102B, 102C, 102D) that generate data indicative of a load applied to one of the components of the shank assembly <NUM> (e.g., a load on the support pin(s) <NUM>, a load on the biasing element(s) <NUM>, a load on the shank <NUM>, and/or a load on the shear pin <NUM>, respectively). Further, the controller <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to and/or configured to control a user interface <NUM>. The user interface <NUM> described herein may include, without limitation, any combination of input and/or output devices that allow an operator to provide inputs to the controller <NUM> and/or that allow the controller <NUM> to provide feedback to the operator, such as a keyboard, keypad, pointing device, buttons, knobs, touch sensitive screen, mobile device, audio input device, audio output device, and/or the like. Additionally, the controller <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to and/or configured to control one or more vehicle drive members <NUM>, such as an engine and/or a transmission of the work vehicle <NUM>.

In general, the controller <NUM> may comprise any suitable processor-based device known in the art, such as a computing device or any suitable combination of computing devices. Thus, in several embodiments, the controller <NUM> may include one or more processor(s) <NUM>, and associated memory device(s) <NUM> configured to perform a variety of computer-implemented functions. As used herein, the term "processor" refers not only to integrated circuits referred to in the art as being included in a computer, but also refers to a controller, a microcontroller, a microcomputer, a programmable logic circuit (PLC), an application specific integrated circuit, and other programmable circuits. Additionally, the memory device(s) <NUM> of the controller <NUM> may generally comprise memory element(s) including, but not limited to, a computer readable medium (e.g., random access memory RAM)), a computer readable non-volatile medium (e.g., a flash memory), a floppy disk, a compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk (MOD), a digital versatile disk (DVD) and/or other suitable memory elements. Such memory device(s) <NUM> may generally be configured to store suitable computer-readable instructions that, when implemented by the processor(s) <NUM>, configure the controller <NUM> to perform various computer-implemented functions, such as one or more aspects of the methods and algorithms that will be described herein. In addition, the controller <NUM> may also include various other suitable components, such as a communications circuit or module, one or more input/output channels, a data/control bus and/or the like.

It should be appreciated that, in several embodiments, the controller <NUM> may correspond to an existing controller of the agricultural implement <NUM> and/or of the work vehicle <NUM> to which the implement <NUM> is coupled. However, it should be appreciated that, in other embodiments, the controller <NUM> may instead correspond to a separate processing device. For instance, in one embodiment, the controller <NUM> may form all or part of a separate plug-in module that may be installed within the agricultural implement <NUM> to allow for the disclosed system and method to be implemented without requiring additional software to be uploaded onto existing control devices of the agricultural implement <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the controller <NUM> may be configured to include one or more communications modules or interfaces <NUM> for the controller <NUM> to communicate with any of the various system components described herein. For instance, one or more communicative links or interfaces (e.g., one or more data buses) may be provided between the communications interface <NUM> and the sensor(s) <NUM> (e.g., the sensors 102A, 102B, 102C, 102D) to allow the controller <NUM> to receive data indicative of a load applied to one of the components of the shank assembly <NUM> (e.g., a load on the support pin(s) <NUM>, a load on the biasing element(s) <NUM>, a load on the shank <NUM>, and/or a load on the shear pin <NUM>) from the sensor(s) <NUM>. Further, one or more communicative links or interfaces (e.g., one or more data buses) may be provided between the communications interface <NUM> and a user interface (e.g., user interface <NUM>) to allow operator inputs to be received by the controller <NUM> and/or allow the controller <NUM> to control the operation of one or more components of the user interface <NUM>. Additionally, one or more communicative links or interfaces (e.g., one or more data buses) may be provided between the communications interface <NUM> and the vehicle drive member(s) <NUM> to allow the controller <NUM> to control the operation of the vehicle drive member(s) <NUM>.

As indicated above, the controller <NUM> may be configured to determine a remaining fatigue life of a shear pin (e.g., the shear pin <NUM>) of a shank assembly <NUM> based at least in part on data indicative of a load on one or more components of the shank assembly <NUM> (e.g., a load on the support pin <NUM>, a load on the biasing element <NUM>, a load on the shank <NUM>, and/or a load on the shear pin <NUM>). For example, the controller <NUM> may include one or more suitable relationships and/or algorithms stored within its memory <NUM> that, when executed by the processor <NUM>, allow the controller <NUM> to determine the remaining fatigue life of the shear pin <NUM> based on the data from the sensor(s) <NUM>. For instance, when the sensor(s) <NUM> include indirect sensors, such as the support pin sensor(s) 102A configured to generate data indicative of a load on the support pin <NUM>, one or more biasing element sensor(s) 102B configured to generate data indicative of a load on the biasing element <NUM>, and/or one or more shank sensor(s) 102C configured to generate data indicative of a load on the shank <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may include pre-defined relationships or algorithms used to indirectly determine a corresponding load(s) on the shear pin <NUM>, which may then be used to determine a remaining fatigue life of the shear pin <NUM> using any suitable relationships or algorithms. Similarly, when the sensor(s) <NUM> include direct sensors, such as the shear pin sensor(s) 102D configured to generate data directly indicative of a load on the shear pin itself <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may include relationships used to determine the remaining fatigue life of the shear pin <NUM> using any suitable relationships or algorithms.

For instance, a simple free body diagram may be used to estimate the load on the shear pin <NUM> based on the loads measured at the other components of the shank assembly <NUM>. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more relationships may be established that correlate material specifications (e.g., modulus of elasticity) of the different components of the shank assembly <NUM> (e.g., the support pin <NUM>, the biasing element <NUM>, and/or the shank <NUM>) and the monitored loads on the components to more accurately estimate loads on the shear pin <NUM>. Additionally, or alternatively, a look-up table may be generated by or provided to the controller <NUM> that correlates measured loads at the different components of the shank assembly <NUM> to the effective loads applied at the shear pin <NUM>. Such look-up table may be generated, for example, by directly measuring the loads at the shear pin in response to known loads applied at one or more of the other components of the shank assembly <NUM> during a testing operation (e.g., during manufacturing).

The estimated loads on the shear pin <NUM> may then be used in combination with material specifications of the shear pin <NUM> to determine the overall damage or fatigue of the shear pin <NUM>. Alternatively, the monitored loads on the shear pin itself <NUM> may be used in combination with the material specifications of the shear pin <NUM> to determine the overall damage or fatigue of the shear pin <NUM>. Then, the overall damage or fatigue of the shear pin <NUM> may be used to determine the remaining fatigue life of the shear pin <NUM>. For instance, the overall damage or fatigue of the shear pin <NUM> may be subtracted from an expected fatigue life threshold of the shear pin <NUM> to determine a remaining fatigue life of the shear pin <NUM>.

It should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, the controller <NUM> may determine the remaining fatigue life of the shear pin <NUM> based at least in part on both the data from the indirect sensor(s) (e.g., sensor(s) 102A, 102B, 102C) and the data from the direct sensors (e.g., sensors 102D). It should further be appreciated that the controller <NUM> may be configured to determine the remaining fatigue life of the shear pin of a plurality of shank assemblies <NUM> of the agricultural implement <NUM>, or that a separate controller <NUM> may be provided for each respective one of a plurality of shank assemblies <NUM> for determining the remaining fatigue life of the associated shear pin. Additionally, it should be appreciated that, in one embodiment, the controller <NUM> is configured to continuously collect data from the sensor(s) <NUM> such that the remaining fatigue life of the shear pin <NUM> may account for each load applied to the monitored component(s).

Once the remaining fatigue life of the shear pin <NUM> is determined, in some embodiments, the controller <NUM> controls the operation of the user interface <NUM> to display or otherwise indicate the determined fatigue life of the shear pin <NUM>. Alternatively, or additionally, in some embodiments, the controller <NUM> may be further configured to control an operation of the agricultural implement <NUM> based on the remaining fatigue life of the shear pin <NUM>. For instance, the controller <NUM> may be configured to compare the remaining fatigue life of the shear pin <NUM> to a fatigue life threshold of the shear pin <NUM>. In general, as indicated above, the shear pin <NUM> is selected to fail before the support pin <NUM> and/or the shank <NUM>. As such, the shear pin <NUM> is generally selected to have a fatigue life threshold that is greater than the fatigue life threshold of the support pin <NUM> and/or the fatigue life threshold of the shank <NUM> (or any other suitable component of the shank assembly <NUM>).

It should be appreciated that the fatigue life threshold of the shear pin <NUM> may be predetermined and stored within the memory <NUM> of the controller <NUM> or may be determined by and/or provided to the controller <NUM> in any other suitable manner. For instance, the fatigue life threshold may indicate a number of cycles of a particular load that the shear pin <NUM> may undergo before failure. The fatigue life threshold may be determined theoretically based at least on material properties of the shear pin <NUM> (e.g., modulus of elasticity) and an average load that the shear pin <NUM> may experience during operation. Similarly, machine learning techniques may be used to determine the fatigue life threshold of the shear pin <NUM>. For instance, one or more sample fatigue life load data and resulting thresholds may be input into a machine learning algorithm to provide an initial estimate for the fatigue life threshold and, as more data is fed into the machine learning algorithm during operation of the implement <NUM>, the estimated fatigue life threshold may become more accurate. Alternatively, or additionally, an analytical weighing system may be used to determine the fatigue life threshold of the shear pin <NUM>, where the system applies heavier weights to larger loads and lower weights to smaller loads to actively adjust the fatigue life threshold of the shear pin <NUM> throughout the tillage operation.

When the remaining fatigue life of the shear pin <NUM> is equal to or less than the fatigue life threshold for the shear pin <NUM>, the controller <NUM> determines that the shear pin <NUM> is close to failure or is otherwise in a compromised state and the controller <NUM> performs a control action. In one embodiment, the control action includes controlling the operation of the user interface <NUM> to notify an operator of the agricultural implement <NUM> that the shear pin <NUM> needs to be replaced. In some embodiments, the control action additionally, or alternatively, includes controlling an operation of one or more vehicle drive components configured to drive the vehicle <NUM> coupled to the implement <NUM>, such as the engine and/or transmission of the vehicle <NUM>. In such embodiments, the controller <NUM> may be configured to control the operation of the vehicle drive component(s) to slow down the vehicle <NUM> and attached implement <NUM> or bring the vehicle <NUM> and implement <NUM> to a stop. It should be appreciated that, depending on the type of controller being used, the above-described control actions may be executed directly by the controller <NUM> or indirectly via communications with a separate controller (e.g., using an ISObus communications protocol).

Referring now to <FIG>, a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method <NUM> for determining the remaining fatigue life of a shear pin of a ground-engaging system of an agricultural implement is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. In general, the method <NUM> will be described herein with reference to the implement <NUM> and the work vehicle <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the shank assembly <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>, and the various components of the system <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>. However, it should be appreciated that the disclosed method <NUM> may be implemented with work vehicles and/or implements having any other suitable configurations and/or within systems having any other suitable system configuration. In addition, although <FIG> depicts steps performed in a particular order for purposes of illustration and discussion, the methods discussed herein are not limited to any particular order or arrangement. One skilled in the art, using the disclosures provided herein, will appreciate that various steps of the method disclosed herein can be omitted, rearranged, combined, and/or adapted in various ways without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

As shown in <FIG>, at (<NUM>), the method <NUM> may include receiving data from at least one sensor indicative of a load on at least one component of a ground-engaging system of an agricultural implement. For instance, as described above, the controller <NUM> may be configured to receive input(s) from one or more sensors <NUM> configured to generate data indicative of loads on one of the components of the shank assembly <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may be configured to receive input(s) from the support pin sensor(s) 102A configured to generate data indicative of a load on the support pin <NUM>, the biasing element sensor(s) 102B configured to generate data indicative of a load on the biasing element <NUM>, the shank sensor(s) 102C configured to generate data indicative of a load on the shank <NUM>, and/or the shear pin sensor(s) 102D configured to generate data indicative of a load on the shear pin <NUM> itself.

Further, at (<NUM>), the method <NUM> may include determining a remaining fatigue life of a shear pin of the ground-engaging system based at least in part on the data indicative of the load on the at least one component. For example, as discussed above, the controller <NUM> may be configured to analyze the sensor data received from the sensor(s) <NUM> (e.g., sensor(s) 102A, 102B, 102C, 102D) using any suitable relationships or algorithms to determine the remaining fatigue life of the shear pin <NUM>.

Additionally, at (<NUM>), the method <NUM> may include controlling an operation of the agricultural implement based at least in part on the remaining fatigue life of the shear pin. For instance, as described above, the controller <NUM> may be configured to control the operation of the user interface <NUM> to display the remaining fatigue life of the shear pin <NUM> and/or that the shear pin <NUM> needs to be replaced based on the remaining fatigue life of the shear pin <NUM>. Alternatively, or additionally, the controller <NUM> may be configured to control the operation of one or more vehicle drive members <NUM> to slow down or stop the implement based on the remaining fatigue life of the shear pin <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may perform such control actions when the remaining fatigue life of the shear pin <NUM> is equal to or below a fatigue life threshold of the shear pin <NUM>.

It is to be understood that the steps of the method <NUM> are performed by the computing system <NUM> upon loading and executing software code or instructions which are tangibly stored on a tangible computer readable medium, such as on a magnetic medium, e.g., a computer hard drive, an optical medium, e.g., an optical disk, solid-state memory, e.g., flash memory, or other storage media known in the art. Thus, any of the functionality performed by the computing system <NUM> described herein, such as the method <NUM>, is implemented in software code or instructions which are tangibly stored on a tangible computer readable medium. The computing system <NUM> loads the software code or instructions via a direct interface with the computer readable medium or via a wired and/or wireless network. Upon loading and executing such software code or instructions by the computing system <NUM>, the computing system <NUM> may perform any of the functionality of the computing system <NUM> described herein, including any steps of the method <NUM> described herein.

The term "software code" or "code" used herein refers to any instructions or set of instructions that influence the operation of a computer or computing system. They may exist in a computer-executable form, such as machine code, which is the set of instructions and data directly executed by a computer's central processing unit or by a computing system, a human-understandable form, such as source code, which may be compiled in order to be executed by a computer's central processing unit or by a computing system, or an intermediate form, such as object code, which is produced by a compiler. As used herein, the term "software code" or "code" also includes any human-understandable computer instructions or set of instructions, e.g., a script, that may be executed on the fly with the aid of an interpreter executed by a computer's central processing unit or by a computing system.

Claim 1:
A system (<NUM>) for determining the remaining fatigue life of a shear pin of a ground engaging system of an agricultural implement (<NUM>), the system (<NUM>) comprising a ground-engaging system (<NUM>) including an attachment structure (<NUM>) coupled to a frame (<NUM>) of an agricultural implement (<NUM>), a ground-engaging tool (<NUM>) pivotably coupled to the attachment structure (<NUM>) at a pivot joint (<NUM>), a shear pin (<NUM>) at least partially extending through the attachment structure (<NUM>) and the ground-engaging tool (<NUM>) to prevent pivoting of the ground-engaging tool (<NUM>) about the pivot joint (<NUM>), a biasing element (<NUM>) coupled between the attachment structure (<NUM>) and the ground-engaging tool (<NUM>), the biasing element (<NUM>) configured to bias the ground-engaging tool (<NUM>) towards a ground-engaging position,
at least one sensor (<NUM>) configured to generate data indicative of a load on at least one component of the ground-engaging system (<NUM>), and
a controller (<NUM>) communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor (<NUM>), the system (<NUM>) being characterized by
the controller (<NUM>) being configured to determine a remaining fatigue life of the shear pin (<NUM>) based at least in part on the data indicative of the load on the at least one component of the ground-engaging system (<NUM>).