Claims:1. A system (100) for sensing draft load of an agricultural implement (A) coupled to an agricultural vehicle, said system (100) comprising:
an accumulator (102), said accumulator (102) includes a housing (102H), a movable member (102P) and a connecting member (102R), wherein said housing (102H) is adapted to store a hydraulic fluid (103), wherein said movable member (102P) is positioned inside said housing (102H) and is slidably connected to an inner portion of said housing (102H), wherein one end of said connecting member (102R) is connected to said movable member (102P) and another end of said connecting member (102R) is coupled to the agricultural implement (A); and
a pressure sensor (104) adapted to monitor and communicate pressure of the hydraulic fluid (103) accommodated in said housing (102H) to a controller unit (106).

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said accumulator (102) includes,
a spring support member (105) adapted to be slidably connected to the inner portion of said housing (102H) and is positioned opposite to said movable member (102P); and
a spring (107), where one end of said spring (107) is connected to said spring support member (105) and another end of said spring (107) is connected to said housing (102H).

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system (100) includes a bellow (108) adapted to be connected to one end of said housing (102H) of said accumulator (102).

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said movable member (102P) is a piston;
said connecting member (102R) is a connecting rod;
said another end of said connecting member (102R) is coupled the agricultural implement (A) through a top link (T) of a three-point hitch (H); and
said hydraulic fluid (103) is delivered to said housing (102H) of said accumulator (102) from a tank.

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said spring (107) is adapted to move to a compressed state to accommodate the movement of said movable member (102P) in response to movement of said connecting member (102R) when the agricultural implement (A) receives the load thereof; and
said movable member (102P) is adapted to compress said hydraulic fluid (103) against said spring support member (105) on movement of said movable member (102P).

6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pressure of said hydraulic fluid (103) in said housing (102H) varies on movement of said movable member (102P) in response to movement of said connecting member (102R) when the agricultural implement (A) receives the load thereof;
the variation in pressure of the hydraulic fluid (103) is sensed and communicated by said pressure sensor (104) to said controller unit (106);
said controller unit (106) is adapted to calculate draft load required by the agricultural implement (A) based on the measured pressure of hydraulic fluid sent by said pressure sensor (104) to said controller unit (106); and
said controller unit (106) is adapted to determine soil condition of agricultural field based on measured pressure of hydraulic fluid sent by said pressure sensor (104) to said controller unit (106).

7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said system (100) includes an indicating means adapted to indicate a condition of soil based on instructions from said controller unit (106) in accordance to measured pressure of hydraulic fluid.

8. A method (200) for sensing draft load of an agricultural implement (A), said method (200) comprising:
receiving (202), by a connecting member (102R) of an accumulator (102), a load received by the agricultural implement (A) through a top link (T) of a three-point hitch (H);
moving (204), by the connecting member (102R), a movable member (102P) with respect to a housing (102H) of the accumulator (102) aided by compression of a spring (107);
varying (206) pressure of hydraulic fluid (103) located within the housing (102H) of the accumulator (102) in response to the movement of the movable member (102P) of the accumulator (102);
sensing (208), by a pressure sensor (104), variation in pressure of the hydraulic fluid (103);
communicating (210), by the pressure sensor (104), the variation in pressure of the hydraulic fluid (103) to a controller unit (106); and
calculating (212), by the controller unit (106), draft load of the agricultural implement (A) based on variation in the pressure of the hydraulic fluid (103).

9. The method (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said calculating, by the controller unit (106), draft load of the agricultural implement (A) includes, comparing the measured pressure of hydraulic fluid with predefined data’s stored in a lookup table/ data map for determining the draft load required by the agricultural implement (A).

10. The method (200) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said method (200) includes,
determining, by the controller unit (106), soil condition of agricultural field, by comparing the measured pressure of hydraulic fluid with predefined data’s stored in the lookup table/ data map of the controller unit (106); and
indicating, by an indicating means, condition of soil based on instructions from the controller unit (106),
wherein
the indicating means is one of a display means, a visual means, an audio means, or a combination of audio-visual display means.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein relate to a system and a method of sensing draft load of agricultural implements coupled to an agricultural vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, agricultural vehicles such as tractors or other similar vehicles are primarily used in agricultural field operations. Typically, a three-point hitch is used to attach implements (earth working machines) to the vehicle, where the implement is being pulled by the vehicle in agricultural fields to condition the soil for cultivation. A hydraulic lift system in the agricultural vehicle is used to raise or lower heavy agricultural implements as per requirements and to control agricultural implement depth during field operations with minimum efforts. Sensing of loads also called draft sensing is a load experienced by the agricultural implement as it contacts the ground, is very important for ensuring, adequate cutting or ploughing depth of soil, to ensure that there is no overcutting or undercutting or soil and to increase the life of the implement.

[003] Conventional hydraulic system includes a supply line, at least one implement-based control valve, an implement-based pressure regulating valve, and a load sensing circuit. The implement based control valve(s) is fluidly coupled to the supply line and configured to regulate a flow of the pressurized hydraulic fluid supplied through at least one downstream actuator line to at least one hydraulic actuator of the implement. The implement-based pressure regulating valve is fluidly coupled to the supply line upstream of the control valve(s) and configured to regulate a fluid pressure to be equal to or greater than a minimum fluid pressure. The load sensing circuit is fluidly coupled to the pressure regulating valve and provides a line or load pressure to the pressure regulating valve. The pressure regulating valve is configured to regulate the supply of the pressurized hydraulic fluid based on the line pressure.

OBJECT
[004] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
[005] A principal object of embodiments herein is to provide feedback mechanism for detecting draft loads experienced on the agricultural implement.
[006] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a method of sensing draft load of agricultural implement.
[007] Another object of embodiments herein is to identify the soil condition based on the draft loads experienced by the agricultural implement.
[008] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, when read with the accompanying figures of drawing, which are however not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING
[009] The foregoing and other features of embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements.
[0010] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these embodiments.
[0011] Figure 1 illustrates a system for sensing draft load of an agricultural implement; and
[0012] Figure 2 illustrates a method for sensing draft load of an agricultural implement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which shown by way of illustration specific embodiments that may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable a person skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, and other changes may be made within the scope of the embodiments. Also, the words “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” and “including,” and other similar forms are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The following detailed description is, therefore, not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention, but instead the invention is to be defined by the appended claims The terms “movable member” and “connecting member” used herein in the specification is to be understood with respect to a reference object.

[0014] Figure 1 illustrates a system (100) for sensing draft load of an agricultural implement (A). The agricultural implement (A) is coupled to an agricultural vehicle (not shown). The agricultural implement (A) may be for example a harvester, a rotavator, a plough tractor. In an embodiment, the system (100) comprises an accumulator (102), a pressure sensor (104), a controller unit (106) and a bellow (108). The accumulator (102) includes a housing (102H), a movable member (102P), a connecting member (102R), a spring support member (105) and a spring (107). The housing (102H) is adapted to store a hydraulic fluid (103). The hydraulic fluid (103) is delivered to the housing (102H) of the accumulator (102) from a tank. The movable member (102P) is positioned inside the housing (102H) and is slidably connected to an inner portion of the housing (102H). The movable member (102P) is adapted to compress the hydraulic fluid (103) against the spring support member (105) on movement of the movable member (102P). One end of the connecting member (102R) is connected to the movable member (102P) and another end of the connecting member (102R) is coupled to the agricultural implement (A) through a top link (T) of a three point hitch (H). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the movable member (102P) is considered to be a piston, and the connecting member (102R) is considered to be a connecting rod. The connecting member (102R) is adapted to receive the load and/or forces received/acting by/on the agricultural implement and the connecting member (102R) is adapted to transfer the received load/forces to the movable member (102P) of the accumulator (102). The spring support member (105) is adapted to be slidably connected to the inner portion of the housing (102H) and is positioned opposite to the movable member (102P). One end of the spring (107) is connected to the spring support member (105) and another end of the spring (107) is connected to the housing (102H). The spring (107) is adapted to move to a compressed state to accommodate the movement of the movable member (102P) in response to movement of the connecting member (102R) when the agricultural implement (A) receives the load thereof. The pressure sensor (104) is adapted to monitor and communicate pressure of the hydraulic fluid (103) accommodated in the housing (102H) to the controller unit (106). For example, the pressure sensor (104) is adapted to monitor and communicate variation in pressure of the hydraulic fluid (103) to the controller unit (106) on movement of the movable member (102P) in response to movement of the connecting member (102R) when the agricultural implement (A) receives a load thereof. The controller unit (106) is configured to calculate draft load required by the agricultural implement based on the measured pressure of the hydraulic fluid (103) sent by the pressure sensor (104) to the controller unit (106). The controller unit (106) calculates the draft load required by the agricultural implement (A) by comparing the measured pressure of hydraulic fluid with predefined data’s stored in a lookup table/data map. Based on calculated draft load, the controller unit (106) is adapted to activate an actuator (motor) which in turn moves a hitch valve spool (not shown) of a hitch control valve (not shown) through draft control linkages (not shown). Accordingly, the hitch valve spool of the hitch control valve (not shown) in turn controls fluid flow to a hitch cylinder (not shown) for controlling the draft of the agricultural implement (A) in accordance to the calculated draft load required by the agricultural implement (A). The bellow (108) is adapted to be connected to one end of the housing (102H) of the accumulator (102). The bellow (108) is to support or guide the movement of the connecting member (102R). Further, the controller unit (106) is adapted to determine the soil condition of the agricultural field by comparing the measured pressure of hydraulic fluid with predefined data’s stored in the lookup table/ data map of the controller unit (106). Further, the system (100) includes an indicating means adapted to indicate a condition of soil based on instructions from said controller unit (106) in accordance to pressure of hydraulic fluid and predefined data’s.

[0015] Figure 2 illustrates a method (200) for sensing draft load of an agricultural implement (A). At step (201), the method (200) includes, receiving (201), by the agricultural implement (A), a load thereof. At step (202), the method (200) includes, receiving by a connecting member (102R) of an accumulator (102), the load received by the agricultural implement (A) through a top link (T) of a three-point hitch (H). At step (204), the method (200) includes, moving, by the connecting member (102R), a movable member (102P) with respect to a housing (102H) of the accumulator (102) aided by compression of a spring (107). At step (206), the method (200) includes varying pressure of hydraulic fluid (103) located within the housing (102H) of the accumulator (102) in response to the movement of the movable member (102P) of the accumulator (102). At step (208), the method (200) includes sensing (208), by a pressure sensor (104), variation in pressure of the hydraulic fluid (103). At step (210), the method (200) includes, communicating, by the pressure sensor (104), the variation in pressure of the hydraulic fluid (103) to a controller unit (106). At step (212), the method (200) includes, calculating (212), by the controller unit (106), draft load of the agricultural implement (A) based on variation in the pressure of the hydraulic fluid (103).
[0016] Further, the method step (212) of calculating, by the controller unit (106), draft load of the agricultural implement (A) includes, comparing the measured pressure of hydraulic fluid with predefined data’s for determining the draft load required by the agricultural implement (A). Furthermore, the method (200) includes, determining, by the controller unit (106), soil condition of agricultural field, by comparing the measured pressure of hydraulic fluid with predefined data’s stored in the lookup table/ data map of the controller unit (106). Further, the method (200) includes, indicating, by an indicating means, condition of soil based on instructions from the controller unit (106) in accordance to variation in pressure of the hydraulic fluid (103). The indicating means may be an audio display means or a visual display means or a combination of audio-visual display means. For example, a light or buzzer can be used as an indicating means to indicate the soil condition. In another example, the indicating means is an instrument cluster of the vehicle. In another example, the indicating means is a smartphone or computing means or any other user interface devices. The user of the agricultural vehicle is thus informed about the soil condition and this would help the user to choose appropriate agricultural implements for farming operations.

[0017] The technical advantages of the system (100) for sensing draft load of the agricultural implement (A) are as follows. The system is used for sensing draft load of an agricultural implement without any wear and tear of the draft sensing elements. Since the system is hydraulic based there is no friction involved with the draft sensing elements in comparison to the existing systems. The system is used for identifying the soil condition based on the load received by the agricultural implement.

[0018] 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.
[0019] It is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, of the invention and not as a limitation. The exemplary embodiments described in this specification are intended merely to provide an understanding of various manners in which these embodiments may be used and to further enable the skilled person in the relevant art to practice the invention.
[0020] Although, the embodiments presented in this disclosure have been described in terms of its preferred embodiments, the skilled person in the art would readily recognize that these embodiments can be applied with modifications possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention as described in this specification by making innumerable changes, variations, modifications, alterations and/or integrations in terms of materials and method used to configure, manufacture and assemble various constituents, components, subassemblies and assemblies, in terms of their size, shapes, orientations and interrelationships without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
[0021] The numerical values given of various physical parameters, dimensions and quantities are only approximate values and it is envisaged that the values higher or lower than the numerical value assigned to the physical parameters, dimensions and quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure unless there is a statement in the specification to the contrary.
[0022] Throughout this specification, the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, shall be understood to imply including a described element, integer or method step, or group of elements, integers or method steps, however, does not imply excluding any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or method steps.
[0023] The use of the expression “a”, “at least” or “at least one” shall imply using one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as used in the embodiment of the disclosure in order to achieve one or more of the intended objects or results of the present invention.
[0024] These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require that the corresponding apparatus or device be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “main lever” and “release lever”, refer to a relationship, wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.