• Journal of Drive and Control
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.53-64
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• 2024

Global population growth has resulted in an increased demand for food production. Simultaneously, aging rural communities have led to a decrease in the workforce, thereby increasing the demand for automation in agriculture. Drones are particularly useful for unmanned pest control fields. However, the current method of uniform spraying leads to environmental damage due to overuse of pesticides and drift by wind. To address this issue, it is necessary to enhance spraying performance through precise performance evaluation. Therefore, as a foundational study aimed at optimizing drone-based pest control technologies, this research evaluated water-sensitive paper (WSP) via density map estimation using convolutional neural networks (CNN) with a encoder-decoder structure. To achieve more accurate estimation, this study implemented multi-task learning, incorporating an additional classifier for image segmentation alongside the density map estimation classifier. The proposed model in this study resulted in a R-squared (R²) of 0.976 for coverage area in the evaluation data set, demonstrating satisfactory performance in evaluating WSP at various density levels. Further research is needed to improve the accuracy of spray result estimations and develop a real-time assessment technology in the field.

• Journal of Drive and Control
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.9-18
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of the soil cone index (CI) on the tractor work load. A load measurement system was constructed for measuring the field data. The field sites were divided into grids (3×3 m), and the cone index was measured at the center of each grid. The work load measured through the plow tillage was matched with the soil cone index. The matched data were grouped at 600 kPa intervals based on the cone index. The work load according to the cone index was analyzed for engine, axle, and traction load, respectively. The results showed that when the cone index increased, engine torque decreased by up to 9%, and the engine rotational speed and brake-specific fuel consumption increased by up to 5% and 3%, respectively. As the cone index increased, the traction and tillage depth were inversely proportional to the cone index, decreasing 7% and 18%, respectively and the traction and tillage depth were directly proportional to the cone index, increasing 13% and 12%, respectively. Thus, it was found that the cone index had a major influence on the engine, axle, and traction loads of the tractor.

• Journal of Drive and Control
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2020

This study was to develop a simulation model of a compound planetary gear reducer for the final driving shaft using a gear analysis software (KISSsoft, Version 2017, KISSsoft AG, Switzerland). The aim of this study is to analyze transmission error and the tooth load distribution through micro-geometry using the simulation model. The tip and root relief were modified with Micro-geometry in the profile direction, and crowning was modified with Micro-geometry in the lead direction. The transmission error was analyzed using the PPTE (Peak to Peak Transmission Error) value, and the tooth load distribution was analyzed for the concentrated stress on the tooth surface. As a result of modifying tip and relief in the profile direction, the transmission error was reduced up to 40.7%. In the case of modifying crowning in the lead direction, the tooth load was more evenly distributed than before and decreased the stress on the tooth surface. After modifying the profile direction for the 1st and 2nd planetary gear train, the bending and contact safety factors were increased by 31.7% and 17%, and 18.3% and 12.5% respectively. Moreover, the bending and safety factors after modifying lead direction were increased by 59.5% and 32.7%, respectively for the 1st planetary gear train, and 59.6% and 43.6%, respectively for the 2nd planetary gear train. In future studies, the optimal design of a compound planetary gear reducer for the final driving shaft is needed considering both the transmission error and tooth load distribution.

• Journal of Engineering Education Research
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.3-9
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• 1999

This study investigated the improved teaching methods which can enhance the learning effects of students in engineering education and provide students with practical abilities of field works. As the results of applying student-oriented teaching methods to students who take the course of hydraulic and pneumatic control in the department of mechanical design engineering of Dongyang technical college, student-oriented teaching method Is more effective than professor-oriented teaching methods in the aspects of motivation of learning, cultivation of imagination and creativity, and ability of solving problems. In order to successfully execute student-oriented teaching method, integrated lecture of both theory and experimental practice has been carried out in the classroom equipped with experimental facilities, and after acquiring sufficient experience through experimental practices, students looked into theoretical backgrounds based on the experimental results during the process solving the subjects which a professor suggested. The subjects should be suggested with the contents for accomplishing the goal of learning, and it is very important for a professor to play the role of helping students solve the problems by themselves, which results in improving practical ability of field works. At the end of every class, a professor has students fill up the questionnaire about the level of learning achievement, questions, and teaching method, and applying the surveying results to the next class can bring out improving the extents of students' participation of classes and concerns about the course. Since the engineering education requires a practical ability of field works, imagination, and creativity in every course, it is desirable to introduce student-oriented teaching method rather than professor-oriented teaching method.

• Journal of Drive and Control
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.60-70
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• 2015

A front-end loader (FEL) mounted on an agricultural tractor is one of the most commonly used implements for farm work. However, when the tractor carries material using the bucket attached to the FEL on a sloping ground, the materials can spill or roll back over the operator due to the tilted body, thereby requiring the bucket surface to remain level at a constant value regardless of varying slopes. In this study, an active system for controlling the angle of the FEL bucket on a tractor based on the real-time measurement of ground slopes was developed to enable the bucket to constantly remain level. A FEL simulator operated based on an electro hydraulic proportional valve (EHPV) was constructed in the laboratory to develop a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller forming a virtual electronic control unit (ECU) on the computer, which could automatically adjust the bucket angles depending on varying input angles while sending SAE-J1939 associated messages via CAN BUS to the EHPV. The different parameter values for the PID controller due to the gravity effect of the bucket were determined using a manual PID tuning method while assuming that the tractor travels on either an ascending slope or a descending slope. The developed PID control-based self-leveling system showed a mean of steady-state errors of within $1^{\circ}$ and a mean of delayed times of ~ 0.8s when the step input of $+20^{\circ}$ was given, implying that the developed system and control algorithm would be effective in maintaining the bucket angle at a certain value. Future studies include the improvement of the control algorithm to reduce such a time delay as well as the application of the developed algorithm to the FEL mounted on a tractor tested at a testing ground.

• Journal of Drive and Control
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.10-18
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• 2016

A front-end loader (FEL) mounted on an agricultural tractor is one of the most commonly used implements to mechanize routine agricultural tasks. When the FEL is used with a loaded bucket, careful operation is required to maintain safety and avoid spillage when the tractor passes a bump because a change in the gravity center of the tractor due to varied loadings can affect the stability of the tractor. Use of a boom suspension system consisting of accumulators and orifice dampers can be instrumental in reducing pitching vibrations while increasing the handling performance of the FEL-mounted tractor. The objective of this research was to reduce bump shocks by adding an orifice and a flow control valve to the original hydraulic circuit composed solely of accumulators. A simulation study was performed using the SimulationX program to investigate the effects of an accumulator and an orifice-throttle damper on bump shocks. Results showed that the peak pressure on a boom cylinder and the vertical acceleration of a bucket were significantly affected by use of both an accumulator and an orifice damper. In a field test conducted with a 75-kW tractor, the peak pressure of the boom cylinder, and the root mean square (RMS) vertical acceleration of the bucket and seat were reduced by on average, 23.0, 42.2, and 44.9% respectively, as compared to those measured with the original accumulator system, showing that an improved design for the accumulator hydraulic circuit can reduce bump shocks. Further studies are needed to design a tractor suspension system that includes the effects of cabin suspension and tires as well as dynamic analysis.

• Journal of Drive and Control
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.133-140
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• 2020

Traction performance of a tractor varies depending on soil conditions. Sinkage and slip of the driving wheel for tractor frequently occur in a reclaimed land. The objective of this study was to develop a tractor suitable for a reclaimed land. Traction performance was evaluated according to soil conditions of reclaimed land and paddy field. Field experiments were conducted at two test sites (Fields A: paddy field; and Field B: reclaimed land). The tractor load measurement system was composed of an axle rotation speed sensor, a torque meter, a six-component load cell, GPS, and a DAQ (Data Acquisition System). Soil properties including soil texture, water content, cone index, and electrical conductivity (EC) were measured. Referring to previous researches, the tractor traveling speed was set to B3 (7.05 km/h), which was frequently used in ridge plow tillage. Soil moisture contents were 33.2% and 48.6% in fields A and B, respectively. Cone index was 2.1 times higher in field A than in field B. When working in the reclaimed land, slip ratios were about 10.5% and 33.1% for fields A and B, respectively. The engine load was used almost 100% of all tractors under the two field conditions. Traction powers were 31.9 kW and 24.2 kW for fields A and B, respectively. Tractive efficiencies were 83.3% and 54.4% for fields A and B, respectively. As soil moisture increased by 16.4%, the tractive efficiency was lowered by about 28.9%. Traction performance of tractor was significantly different according to soil conditions of fields A and B. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the traction performance of tractor for smooth operations in all soil conditions including a reclaimed land by reflecting data of this study.

• Journal of Drive and Control
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.115-122
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• 2023

This study utilized a discrete element method (DEM) simulation, as one of the virtual field trials, to predict the impact of tillage depth on the rotary blade shaft during rotavator tilling. The virtual field for the simulation was generated according to soil properties observed in an actual field. Following the generation of particles for the virtual field, a sequence of calibration steps followed to align the mechanical properties more closely with those of real soil. Calibration was conducted with a focus on bulk density and shear torque, resulting in calibration errors of just 0.02% for bulk density and 0.52% for shear torque. The prediction of the load on a rotary tiller's blade shaft involved a three-pronged approach, considering shaft torque, draft force, and vertical force. In terms of shaft torque, the values exhibited significant increases of 42.34% and 36.91% for every 5-centimeter increment in tillage depth. Similarly, the vertical force saw substantial growth by 40.41% and 36.08% for every 5-centimeter increment. In contrast, the variation in draft force based on tillage depth was comparatively lower at 18.49% and 0.96%, indicating that the effect of tillage depth on draft force was less pronounced than its impact on shaft torque and vertical force. From a perspective of agricultural machinery research, this study provides valuable insights into the DEM soil modeling process, accounting for changes in soil properties with varying tillage depths. These findings are expected to be instrumental in future agricultural machinery design studies.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.1230-1236
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• 2012

To verify that the electrokinetic remediation is effective for decreasing salinity of fields of the plastic-film house, field tests for physical property, chemical property, and crop productivity of soils have been conducted. The abridged result of those tests is as follows. In the EK treatment, the electrokinetic remediation has been treated at the constant voltage (about 0.8 V $cm^{-1}$) for fields of the farm household. At this time, an alternating current (AC) 220 V of the farm household was transformed a direct current. The HSCI (High Silicon Cast Iron) that the length of the stick for a cation is 20cm, and the Fe Plate for an anion have been spread out on the ground. As the PVC pipe that is 10 cm in diameter was laid in the bottom of soils, cations descend on the cathode were discharged together. For soil physical properties according to the EK treatment, the destruction effect of soil aggregate was large, and the infiltration rate of water was increased. However, variations of bulk density and porosity were not considerable. Meanwhile, in chemical properties of soils, principal ions of such as EC, $NO_3{^-}$-N, $K^+$, and $Na^+$ were better rapidly reduced in the EK treated control plot than in the untreated control plot. And properties such as pH, $P_2O_5$ and $Ca^{2+}$ had a small impact on the EK. For cropping season of crop cultivation according to the EK treatment, decreasing rates of chemical properties of soils were as follows; $NO_3{^-}$-N 78.3% > $K^+$ 72.3% > EC 71.6% $$\geq_-$$ $Na^+$ 71.5% > $Mg^{2+}$ 36.8%. As results of comparing the experimental plot that EK was treated before crop cultivation with it that EK was treated during crop cultivation, the decreasing effect of chemical properties was higher in the case that EK was treated during crop cultivation. After the EK treatment, treatment effects were distinct for $NO_3{^-}$-N and EC that a decrease of nutrients is clear. However, because the lasting effect of decreasing salinity were not distinct for the single EK treatment, fertilization for soil testing was desirable carrying on testing for chemical properties of soils after EK treatments more than two times. In the growth of cabbages according to the EK treatment, the rate of yield increase was 225.5% for the primary treatment, 181.0% for the secondary treatment, and 124.2% for third treatment compared with the untreated control plot. The yield was increased by a factor of 130.0% for the hot pepper at the primary treatment (Apr. 2011), 248.1% for the lettuce at the secondary treatment (Nov.2011), and 125.4% for the young radish at the third treatment (Jul. 2012). In conclusion, the effect of yield increase was accepted officially for all announced crops.