Soil-cutting simulation and parameter optimization of rotary blade’s three-axis resistances by response surface method

• Published in: Computers and electronics in agriculture 2019-09, Vol.164, p.104902, Article 104902
• Main Authors: Zhang, Gongshuo, Zhang, Zhiqing, Xiao, Maohua, Bartos, Petr, Bohata, Andrea
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural equipment; Agricultural practices; Cutting parameters; Cutting resistance; Environmental protection; Optimization; Parameter optimization; Power consumption; Resistance factors; Response surface methodology; Rotary blade; RSM; Soils; Structural stability; Sustainable development; Three axis; Three-axis resistances; Wear
• ISSN: 0168-1699; 1872-7107
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compag.2019.104902

•Three-axis resistances are introduced as intermediate amount to optimize the object.•Response surface method is used to reduce the rotary blade’s three-axis resistances.•Effects of parameters of rotary blades on three-axis resistances are investigated. The reduction in power consumption of agricultural machinery contributes to environmental protection and sustainable development. Power consumption, wear, and stability depend on the structural parameters of the rotary blade, which are affected by three-axis resistances. Hence, the three-axis resistances were introduced as the intermediate amount; the bending angle (x1), working width (x2), and blade width (x3) were selected as factors; maximum working resistance (F) was taken as the index. Soil-cutting simulations were performed according to Central Composite Face-centered design (CCF). Regression equations of F in terms of x1, x2, and x3 were established. The response surface and contour maps of the two experimental factors combined to the target were plotted separately based on Surface Response Method (RSM). The results show that the order of influence of factors on the maximum forward resistance is: x3, x2, x1; vertical resistance is: x3, x2, x1; lateral resistance is: x3, x1, x2; the optimized parameters are x1 120°, x2 60 mm, and x3 8.8 mm. Field comparison experiment show that the shaft torque and amplitude of the high-box rotary tiller are reduced by 7% and 8% respectively after optimization, and the wear per unit is reduced by 10%.