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Development of a novel mechatronic system for mechanical weed ...

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Results and discussion<br />

Since the first prototype will be used <strong>for</strong> intensive experimental testing, the<br />

motor was oversized. Both <strong>of</strong> the two parameters relevant <strong>for</strong> calculation <strong>of</strong> the<br />

required power were increased with safety factor equal to 6 to avoid overloading<br />

or damaging <strong>of</strong> the <strong>system</strong> during the testing.<br />

P = 6 * M * u = 6 * 600 *1 = 3600W<br />

(5.13)<br />

90<br />

required hmaxexp hn<br />

The intra-row <strong>weed</strong>ing <strong>system</strong> requires a closed loop control <strong>of</strong> the rotational<br />

speed because the on-line calculation <strong>of</strong> the optimal speed takes into account<br />

the carrier’s <strong>for</strong>ward speed, observed distance between two successive crop<br />

plants and position <strong>of</strong> the hoeing arms. One <strong>of</strong> the main advantages <strong>of</strong> servo<br />

motors is the ability to keep a constant torque at both very low and high engine<br />

speeds which is in case <strong>of</strong> the intra-row <strong>weed</strong>ing tool <strong>of</strong> crucial importance.<br />

According to the calculation <strong>of</strong> the required power <strong>of</strong> the hoeing <strong>system</strong>, an AC-<br />

servo motor from Yaskawa type SGMGH-44DCA6F with Pmn= 4.4 kW, with<br />

maximum rotational speed ummax= 1500 rpm, nominal torque Mmn= 28.4 Nm,<br />

maximum torque Mmmax= 71.1 Nm, and appropriate servo drive from Yaskawa<br />

type SGDH-50DE were chosen. The servo <strong>system</strong> includes a 17-bit encoder as<br />

feedback device. The motor was combined with a planetary gearing type<br />

TP110S-MF2 with gear ratio G= 25 and nominal torque on the gearbox output<br />

shaft Mhn= 710 Nm and corresponds to the torque <strong>of</strong> the hoeing tool.<br />

In that way the prototype was able to provide continuous and highly accurate<br />

speed change in a range from 0 to 60 rpm with available torque up to Mhn=<br />

710 Nm in the whole range <strong>of</strong> speeds.<br />

5.3.2.1 External control <strong>of</strong> the rotational speed<br />

The advantages <strong>of</strong> the servo <strong>system</strong> implemented into the intra-row hoe’s<br />

prototype can be taken with the servo drive in the speed control mode, by an<br />

analog signal created in external controlling unit. The combination <strong>of</strong> DAQPad-<br />

6015 and signal conditioning unit used <strong>for</strong> plant detection was also used <strong>for</strong><br />

speed control as an external controller. Controlled inputs to the servo drive were<br />

rotation speed, as analog signal, and servo ON as digital signal. Acquired

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