Patent ID: 12206270

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

Embodiments herein disclose methods and system for integrated sensing and self-charging in agricultural implements.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly toFIGS.2athrough9, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.

FIGS.2a-2edepict a control system201of agricultural implement(s)200attached to an agricultural vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The agricultural vehicle herein refers to any vehicle/farm machinery that can be used for performing at least one agricultural related operation. An example of the agricultural vehicle can be, but not limited to, a tractor, a thresher, a harvester, a combiner, and so on. Embodiments herein are further explained considering the tractor as an example of the agricultural vehicle, but it may be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art that any suitable vehicle can be considered.

The agricultural vehicle can be capable of pulling, operating, and transporting one or more agricultural implements200connected thereto. Examples of the agricultural implement200can be, but not limited to, rotavators, sprayers, harrows, plows, planters, harvesters/reapers, fertilizer spreader, sprayers, dispersers, and so on. In an embodiment, the agricultural implement200can be connected to the agricultural vehicle using a detachable means, such as a three-point hitch/linkage, and so on. In an embodiment, the agricultural implement200can be connected to the agricultural vehicle permanently.

The agricultural implement includes the control system201, which can be mounted on the agricultural implement200at a suitable position. The control system201can be configured to manage operations of the agricultural implement200. In an embodiment, the control system201can be configured to self-recharge the agricultural implement(s)200connected to the agricultural vehicle. As illustrated inFIG.2a, the control system201includes a memory202, a communication unit204, a display206, a control unit208, a battery management unit210, and a triggering unit220. The components of the control system201can communicate with each other using at least one of the Internet, a wired network (a Local Area Network (LAN), a Controller Area Network (CAN) network, a Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART), a bus network, Ethernet and so on), a wireless network (a Wi-Fi network, a cellular network, a Wi-Fi Hotspot, Bluetooth, Zigbee and so on) and so on.

The memory202can store at least one of, but not limited to, measured parameters (for example: speed, rotations, or the like) of the agricultural implement200, and so on. The memory may include one or more computer-readable storage media. The memory202may include non-volatile storage elements. Examples of such non-volatile storage elements may include magnetic hard discs, optical discs, floppy discs, flash memories, or forms of electrically programmable memories (EPROM) or electrically erasable and programmable (EEPROM) memories. In addition, the memory202may, in some examples, be considered a non-transitory storage medium. The term “non-transitory” may indicate that the storage medium is not embodied in a carrier wave or a propagated signal. However, the term “non-transitory” should not be interpreted to mean that the memory202is non-movable. In certain examples, a non-transitory storage medium may store data that can, over time, change (e.g., in Random Access Memory (RAM) or cache).

The communication unit204can be configured to enable the control system201to connect to at least one external entity (such as an external server, a user/operator device (device used by an operator of the agricultural implement), and so on. In an embodiment, the communication unit204can enable the control system201to connect with the at least one external entity using at least one of a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), cellular communications (2G/3G/4G/5G or the like), and so on. In an embodiment, the communication unit204may include physical ports that enable the control system201to connect with additional devices/modules. Examples of the physical ports can be, but not limited to, general-purpose input/output (GPIO), Universal Serial Bus (USB), Ethernet, Display Serial Interface (DSI), and so on. Examples of the additional devices/modules can be, but not limited to, a CAN bus, On-board diagnostics (OBD) ports, the sensor unit, and so on.

The display unit206can be configured to enable the operator of the agricultural implement200to interact with the control system201. The display unit206can also display various parameters (such as speed, load, and so on) of the agricultural implement200to the operator. The display unit206can also display alerts/warnings generated by the control unit208to the operator to operate the agricultural implement200in an optimized speed. The alerts/warnings can be in the form of at least one of a visual alert/warning (provided using the display or any other suitable means such as a light) or an audio alert/warning (provided using a speaker, headphones, earphones, and so on). The alerts/warnings can be also provided to another device (which may be present remotely), such as a mobile phone, smart phone, computer, server, and so on.

The control unit208can include at least one of a single processer, a plurality of processors, multiple homogeneous or heterogeneous cores, multiple CPUs of different kinds, a microcontroller, and other accelerators. Further, the plurality of processing units may be located on a single chip or over multiple chips. The control unit208also includes components such as, but not limited to, Input/Output (I/O) ports, a memory, a storage unit, and so on. The control unit208can be configured to control at least one operation of the agricultural implement200. The control unit208can be configured to measure the various parameters of the agricultural implement200using various sensors and accordingly provides the warning/alerts to the operator to operate the agricultural implement200in the optimized speed. The control unit208can also be configured to control functions of the other components of the control system201.

In an embodiment, the control unit208can also be configured to provide an alert to the operator for changing oil of the agricultural implement200. The control unit208can provide the alert by monitoring for oil check alerts at regular periodic intervals of time. Whenever, the agricultural implement200clocked in for cumulative hour reading for certain hours, the control unit208identifies “x” alert initiated for checking oil. Whenever, it crosses another set of “y” hours, the control unit208initiates the alert for the operator to change the oil. Thus, the operator/user need not to check manually, which further enables proper service life and warranty of the agricultural implement200. The “x”, and “y” hours may vary based on manufacturer recommendations. In an example, the control unit208may monitor for the oil check alerts at every 50 hours or 500 hours, but it should be obvious to a person skilled in the art that any other reading of hours can be considered.

The battery management unit210can be configured to power up the components202-208of the control system201by providing power to the components202-208.

In an embodiment, as depicted inFIG.2b, the battery management unit210includes at least one sensor212. In an embodiment, the at least one sensor212can be configured to provide the power/voltage to the components202-208of the control system201. Thus, the sensor212of the battery management unit210acts as a primary battery for agricultural implement200by eliminating a requirement for an internal battery in the agricultural implement200. The sensor212includes a magneto system (as depicted inFIG.3b), which can be configured to generate voltage by sensing rotation of the agricultural implement200. The generated voltage can be provided as the power to the control unit208. The generated voltage can be provided as the power to the other components of the control system201. The sensor212can also be configured to measure parameters of the agricultural implement200such as, but not limited to, load, hours of usage, speed, time of operation, and so on.

In an embodiment as depicted inFIG.2c, the battery management unit210includes the at least one sensor212, and a secondary battery214for generating the power/voltage. The generated power/voltage can be used for power up/operating the components of the agricultural implement200. In an embodiment, the secondary battery214can be a non-rechargeable battery or a rechargeable battery. The secondary battery214increases reliability of the agricultural implement by avoiding the fluctuations in the control system201, when the agricultural implement200operates even at lower rotations per minute (RPM).

In an embodiment, as depicted inFIG.2d, the battery management unit210includes the at least one sensor212, the secondary battery214, and a charger circuitry216for generating the power/voltage. The generated power/voltage can be used for power up/operating the components of the agricultural implement200. The charger circuitry216can be configured to charge the secondary battery214. The charger circuitry216can be connected with an external adapter/charger to recharge the at least one battery214. Thereby, eliminating a need of battery replacement.

In an embodiment, as depicted inFIG.2e, the control system201includes a separate secondary sensor unit218coupled with the control unit208, and the battery management unit210. The battery management unit210includes the sensor212, the secondary battery214, and the charger circuitry216for generating the power/voltage. The secondary sensor unit218can be configured to measure parameters of the agricultural implement200such as, but not limited to, load, hours of usage, speed, time of operation, and so on.

The triggering unit220can be positioned in the communication unit/transmitter unit204of the control system201. The triggering unit220can be configured to provide the charge/voltage/power to the sensor212of the battery management unit210for operating/functioning.

FIG.3adepicts the control system201of the agricultural implement200including the sensor212for generating the power, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. As depicted inFIG.3a, the control system201includes the sensor212of the battery management unit, and the control unit208. In an embodiment, the sensor212can be, but not limited to, a magnetic type speed sensor, a proximity type speed sensor, a contact-type sensor, a non-contact type sensor and so on. In an embodiment, the speed sensor212can be a Hall Effect sensor. However, it is also within the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein to provide any type of speed sensor without otherwise deterring the intended function of measuring speed values as can be deduced from this description and corresponding drawings.

The sensor212can be connected to the control unit208using a combination of a diode302, and a capacitor304. The sensor212can be configured to sense/measure rotation/speed of the agricultural implement, and generate the voltage/power based on the measured speed. The sensor212can also be configured to measure the parameters such as, but not limited to, speed, load, hours of usage, time of operation, and so on of the agricultural implement200. The sensor212can provide the generated power/voltage to the control unit208on sensing the rotation of the agricultural implement (i.e. when the agricultural implement starts to operate). The control unit208can be configured to control the supply of the power/voltage to the other components202-206of the control system201, thereby eliminating the requirement of the internal battery for the agricultural implement200. The control unit208can also be configured to regulate amplitude of the generated voltage. The amplitude of the generated voltage may vary based on the speed of rotation of the agricultural implement200. A peak value of the amplitude of the voltage may cause variations in the circuit voltage during the generation of the power. In order to eliminate such kind of variations, the control unit208measures a rate of change of the amplitude of the generated voltage to determine a trigger of a speed counter as 1, 2, 3, and so on for example. The control unit208further smoothens the peak value of the amplitude of the generated using a capacitor circuit and feeds the smoothened voltage into the battery management unit210for charging such that the uniform voltage may provided for charging the battery management unit210. In an embodiment, the sensor212may generate the power supply by achieving critical parameters. Examples of the critical parameters can be, but not limited to, air gap optimization, increased number of triggers for self-charging, which further increases voltage generation, and accuracy of measuring the speed, generation of the power supply/voltage without requiring the internal battery, and so on.

Embodiments herein are further explained the generation of the power by considering the sensor212as the Hall Effect wheel sensor for example, but it may be obvious to a person skilled in the art that any other speed sensors may be used for generating the power. As depicted inFIG.3b, the sensor212/Hall Effect wheel speed sensor212includes a magneto system306for generating the power. The magneto system306may be placed in proximity of at least one rotor/shaft308of the agricultural implement. It should be noted that configurations of the components of the magneto system306of the sensor212may vary based on the manufacturer, and the quantity of the power generation.

The rotor/shaft308of the agricultural implement starts rotating, once the agricultural implement200starts operating. The magneto system306of the sensor212can interact with the rotating rotor/shaft and changes the magnetic field. The change in the magnetic field changes inductance/voltage created on the magnetic field. The inductance/voltage created on the magnetic field may be provided as the power supply/voltage to the control unit208without any power storage.

In an embodiment, the magneto system306enables the power/voltage generation from an inductance that may be created on the magnetic. It should be noted that any kind of sensors for example, but is not limited to, a magnetic to inductance sensor, a non contact to contact type sensor (for example: used for light circuit), and so on can be used for generating the voltage/power.

FIG.4depicts the control system201of the agricultural implement200including the sensor212and the secondary battery214for generating the power, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. As depicted inFIG.4, the control system201includes the sensor212, the secondary battery214, and the control unit208. The sensor212and the secondary battery214can be connected to the control unit208. The secondary battery214can be the rechargeable battery (for example: a lithium ion battery (having 3.7V 2.5 AH)). The sensor212can be configured to generate the power/voltage on sensing the rotation of the agricultural implement200. The power/voltage generated by the sensor212can be connected to the control unit208as the primary power supply. If there is a requirement for the additional power supply, then the secondary battery214can be configured to provide the power to the control unit208. The secondary battery214increases the reliability of the control system201by providing the additional power supply internally. The secondary battery214also avoids power fluctuations in the control system201, when the agricultural implement200operates even at lower RPMs. Further, the sensor212, and the control unit208can be optimized to increase the reliability of the control system201.

FIGS.5aand5bdepict package/design implementation of the battery management unit210including the sensor212, and the secondary battery214in the control system201of the agricultural implement200, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. As depicted inFIGS.5a, and5b, the control system201includes a partition cover/unit502, a top cover504, a bottom cover506, the sensor212, and the secondary battery214.

The partition unit/cover502may be designed to hold the control unit208and the secondary battery214together. The partition unit/cover502may be connected to the top cover504. The top cover504may have provision for holding the control unit208. The bottom cover506may be designed to hold the sensor212(as depicted inFIG.5b).

During a servicing/replacement of the secondary battery214, the top cover504can be removed, and the secondary battery214can be replaced without disturbing the control unit208. Such an arrangement provides ease of serviceability and anti-tamper of hardware.

FIG.6depicts the control system201of the agricultural implement200including the sensor212, the secondary battery214, and the charger circuitry216for generating the power, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. As depicted inFIG.6, the control system201includes the sensor212, the secondary battery214, the charger circuitry216, and the control unit208. The sensor212, the secondary battery214, and the charger circuitry216can be connected to the control unit208. In an example, the secondary battery214can be a rechargeable battery. The sensor212can be configured to generate the power/voltage on sensing the rotation of the agricultural implement200(as depicted inFIG.3b). The power supply/voltage generated by the sensor212can be provided to the control unit208as the primary power supply. If there is a requirement for the additional power supply or when the agricultural implement200operates at the lower RPM, the secondary battery214can be configured to provide the power to the control unit208, as additional power supply. The charger circuitry216can be in-built charger, which can be connected to the external adapter to recharge the secondary battery214. In an embodiment, the charger circuitry216includes an option to charge from the external power supply (for example, but is not limited to, a Type B/Type C/mini Universal Serial Bus (USB), a two pin charging system and so on). Therefore, there is no need of battery replacement, so that the operator can use the agricultural implement200for longer durations with longer battery life. In an embodiment, the control unit208can be configured to monitor a maximum number of charging and discharging cycles of the secondary battery214. The control unit208further informs the monitored maximum number of charging and discharging cycles of the secondary battery214to the operator.

FIGS.7a-7cdepict different packing/design implementation of the battery management unit210including the sensor212, the secondary battery214, and the charger circuitry216in the control system201of the agricultural implement200, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

As depicted inFIG.7a, the bottom cover506may be designed to hold both the sensor212, and the charger circuitry216as a single unit. The charger circuitry216may have electrical connection to the secondary battery214for the charging of the secondary battery214. The partition unit502may be designed to hold the control unit208and the secondary battery214together. The top cover504may have provision for holding the control unit208. In an embodiment, if any problem occurs in the sensor212, or the control unit208, then only individual unit can be replaced.

As depicted inFIG.7b, the bottom cover506may be designed to hold the sensor212, and the charger circuitry216as separate units. In an embodiment, if any problem occurs in the sensor212, or the charger circuit216, or the control unit208, then only individual unit can be replaced.

As depicted inFIG.7c, the bottom cover506may be designed to hold only the sensor212. The top cover504may be designed to hold a single printed circuit board (PCB) including the control unit208, and the charger circuitry216. The partition cover502may be designed to hold both the secondary battery214, and the single PCB including the control unit208, and the charger circuitry216.

FIG.8depicts the control system201of the agricultural implement200including the sensor212, the secondary battery214, the charging circuitry216, and the secondary sensor unit218, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. As depicted inFIG.8, the control system201includes the sensor212, the secondary battery214, the charger circuitry216, the secondary sensor unit218, and the control unit208. The sensor212, the secondary battery214, the charger circuitry216, and the secondary sensor unit218can be connected to the control unit208.

In an embodiment, the sensor212can be used as dedicated power source. The sensor212can be configured to generate only the power supply/voltage on measuring the rotation of the agricultural implement200(as depicted inFIG.3b). The generated power supply can be provided to the control unit208. The secondary battery214can be configured to provide the power supply to the control unit208, when the agricultural implement200operates at the lower RPMs. The charger circuit216can be configured to charge the secondary battery214.

In an embodiment, the separate secondary sensor unit218can be configured to measure the speed of the agricultural implement200. The secondary sensor unit218may include at least one speed sensor for measuring the speed of the agricultural implement200. The speed can be measured with respect to the rotation of the agricultural implement200. The secondary sensor unit218can be mounted on the agricultural implement200at suitable position. In an embodiment, the secondary sensor unit218can be an hour counter. In an embodiment, the secondary sensor unit218can be, but not limited to, a magnetic type speed sensor, a proximity type speed sensor, a contact-type sensor, a non-contact type sensor and so on. In an embodiment, the secondary sensor unit218can be a Hall Effect sensor. However, it is also within the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein to provide any type of speed sensor without otherwise deterring the intended function of measuring speed values as can be deduced from this description and corresponding drawings.

FIG.9is a flow diagram900depicting a method for performing self-charging in the agricultural implement, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. At step902, the method includes generating, by the battery management unit210, the power on sensing speed of the agricultural implement200, wherein the battery management unit210is a self-rechargeable unit. In an embodiment, the battery management unit210includes the sensor212. In an embodiment, the battery management unit210includes the sensor212, and the secondary battery214. In an embodiment, the battery management unit210includes the sensor212, the secondary battery214, and the charger circuitry216.

At step904, the method includes providing, by the battery management unit210, the generated power to the control unit208for controlling at least one operation of the agricultural implement200. The various actions in method900may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed inFIG.9may be omitted.

Embodiments herein disclose a control system for an agricultural implement, wherein the control system includes a triggering unit a transmitter unit, and a battery unit/battery management unit. The control system is configured to self charge the battery unit. The triggering unit may reside in the transmitter unit. The electric charge may be provided in plurality of ways, which in turn provide the charge required for the sensor functioning. In addition, the self charging mechanism may be used for charging a small internal battery to avoid the fluctuations in the power from the main battery.

Embodiments herein may have a preliminary variable reluctance sensor design. Embodiments herein may disclose voltage induced in the coil as per faraday's law, V=−N dØ/dt (V), where: Ø=B*A (Tm2). In an embodiment, considering magnetic field strength of ferrite, B=0.5 T and dimensions of the cylindrical magnet with diameter=0.8 cm; height=1.5 cm, then area of magnet may be 0.0478 m, Ø=0.0478*0.5=0.0239 Tm2. In an embodiment, number of turns of the coil may be 100 and flux change rate as 0.1 sec considering lower speed.

The embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented through at least one software program running on at least one hardware device and performing network management functions to control the network elements. The elements shown inFIGS.2a-8include blocks, which can be at least one of a hardware device, or a combination of hardware device and software module.

The embodiments disclosed herein describe methods and systems for integrated sensing and self-charging in agricultural implement(s) connected to an agricultural vehicle. Therefore, it is understood that the scope of the protection is extended to such a program and in addition to a computer readable means having a message therein, such computer readable storage means contain program code means for implementation of one or more steps of the method, when the program runs on a server or mobile device or any suitable programmable device. The method is implemented in at least one embodiment through or together with a software program written in e.g. Very high speed integrated circuit Hardware Description Language (VHDL) another programming language, or implemented by one or more VHDL or several software modules being executed on at least one hardware device. The hardware device can be any kind of device which can be programmed including e.g. any kind of computer like a server or a personal computer, or the like, or any combination thereof, e.g. one processor and two FPGAs. The device may also include means which could be e.g. hardware means like e.g. an ASIC, or a combination of hardware and software means, e.g. an ASIC and an FPGA, or at least one microprocessor and at least one memory with software modules located therein. Thus, the means are at least one hardware means and/or at least one software means. The method embodiments described herein could be implemented in pure hardware or partly in hardware and partly in software. The device may also include only software means. Alternatively, the invention may be implemented on different hardware devices, e.g. using a plurality of CPUs.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments and examples, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims as described herein.