Agricultural work vehicle equipped with front camera

Abstract

Provided is an agricultural work vehicle comprising: a front camera that is installed on an inner side of a front hood of the agricultural work vehicle so as to be inclined downward at a predetermined angle (θ) relative to the horizontal direction toward the front; and a coupling module that couples the front camera to the front hood so that the front camera is inclined downward at the predetermined angle (θ) relative to the horizontal direction.

Description

Agricultural work vehicle equipped with a front camera

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an agricultural work vehicle equipped with a front camera. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a structure for installing a front camera to secure a forward view for a worker when working using a front work tool attached to an agricultural work vehicle.

[0002] Agricultural work vehicles are vehicles used for agricultural work, such as rice transplanters, combine harvesters, and tractors. For example, tractors can be equipped with various agricultural implements and perform the necessary agricultural work.

[0003] Conventional vehicles, whose primary purpose is movement, are equipped with a forward-facing camera to provide the driver with a clear view forward, allowing them to recognize obstacles ahead and maneuver the vehicle precisely while driving and parking. However, agricultural work vehicles, whose primary purpose is work, often do not have a forward-facing camera, despite the fact that the hood obstructs the operator's forward view.

[0004] For example, a front loader is used to lift workpieces from the ground or deposit them in a bucket at a desired location. Therefore, securing a clear forward view is essential for performing precise work with a front loader. To effectively assist in this task, the front camera must be installed to capture both the bucket and the ground simultaneously.

[0005] However, the front cameras mounted on standard vehicles are installed to capture the distant area ahead to detect obstacles or lane markings at high speeds, so they cannot capture the ground directly in front of the vehicle. Furthermore, because they are installed in a fixed orientation, their orientation cannot be adjusted to capture the ground directly in front of the vehicle.

[0006] Therefore, applying the structure of installing a front camera on a general vehicle to an agricultural work vehicle as it is does not provide practical help in work using a front work machine, and a front camera installation structure that takes into account the characteristics of agricultural work vehicles and front work is required.

[0007] The present disclosure provides an installation structure for a front camera to secure a front view for a worker using an agricultural work vehicle.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an agricultural work vehicle may include a front camera installed at an angle (θ) downward with respect to a horizontal direction toward the front on the inside of a front hood of the agricultural work vehicle, and a coupling module that couples the front camera to the front hood so as to be inclined downward with respect to the horizontal direction at the angle (θ) downward with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0009] In one embodiment, the coupling module may include a bracket that supports and fixes the front camera and allows the installation angle of the front camera to be adjusted, and a support that is fixedly coupled to the front camera and is coupled to a specific position of the bracket so that the front camera is installed at a downward angle (θ) with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0010] In one embodiment, the bracket may include a U-shaped body portion forming a space in which the support coupled with the front camera is placed, and a front hood coupling portion coupled toward the front from the inside of the front hood by a first coupling member.

[0011] In one embodiment, the body portion may include a first slot in an arcuate shape on the first and second sides corresponding to the U-shaped, opposing legs, such that the support member coupled with the front camera can be coupled downwardly at a predetermined angle (θ) with respect to the horizontal direction by a second coupling member, and a second slot on the first and second sides such that the support member coupled with the front camera can be coupled to a fixed position by a third coupling member.

[0012] In one embodiment, the support may be configured in a U-shape, and may include a sixth slot through which the second connecting member can pass, and a seventh slot through which the third connecting member can pass, on third and fourth sides corresponding to opposite legs of the U-shape, and a fourth slot through which at least a portion of the front camera can pass, and a fifth slot through which the fourth connecting member for connecting the front camera and the support can pass, on a fifth side connecting the third side and the fourth side.

[0013] In one embodiment, the agricultural work vehicle may further include an actuator coupled to the support through the first slot and the sixth slot, and moving the support along the first slot.

[0014] In one embodiment, the front camera may include a lens cover to protect the lens from external foreign matter.

[0015] In one embodiment, the agricultural work vehicle may further include a human-machine interface (HMI) that provides an interface through which a user and the agricultural work vehicle can interact, and an operation switch that receives a user command for displaying an image acquired by the front camera on the HMI, wherein the front camera can acquire an image including at least a portion of the front work tool and the ground in front of the agricultural work vehicle and transmit the image to the HMI, and the operation switch can generate an operation signal of the front camera and transmit the operation signal to the HMI when receiving the user command, and the HMI can display the image received from the front camera on a display when receiving the operation signal of the front camera from the operation switch.

[0016] In one embodiment, the HMI may display an image received from the front camera on a display even without a user command when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and the predetermined condition may include at least one of activation of a work mode, operation ON of a PTO (Power-Take Off), and operation ON of a parking brake.

[0017] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to secure a forward view for a worker using an agricultural work vehicle equipped with a front camera.

[0018] Figure 1 illustrates an example of installation of a front camera according to one embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a front camera assembly according to one embodiment, viewed from the outside of the front hood.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the front camera assembly according to one embodiment, viewed from the inside of the front hood.

[0021] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a bracket according to one embodiment.

[0022] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a support according to one embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a front camera system of an agricultural work vehicle according to one embodiment.

[0024] The terms used in this disclosure are selected from widely used, common terms, taking into account the functions of the disclosure. However, these terms may vary depending on the intentions of those skilled in the art, precedents, the emergence of new technologies, etc. In certain cases, terms may be arbitrarily selected by the applicant, in which case their meanings will be described in detail in the relevant description. Therefore, the terms used in this disclosure should not be defined simply as names, but rather based on the meanings of the terms and the overall content of the disclosure.

[0025] Singular expressions may include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art described herein.

[0026] The term "and / or" in this disclosure includes any combination of a plurality of related described components or any one of a plurality of related described components.

[0027] Terms including ordinal numbers, such as "first" or "second," used in this disclosure may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

[0028] In this disclosure, the expression “at least one of a, b, or c” may refer to “a,” “b,” “c,” “a and b,” “a and c,” “b and c,” “all of a, b, and c,” or variations thereof.

[0029] When a part of the specification is said to "include" a component, this does not exclude other components, but rather implies the inclusion of other components, unless otherwise specifically stated. Furthermore, terms such as "part" and "module" used in the specification refer to a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily practice the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In addition, in the drawings, parts that are not related to the description are omitted to clearly explain the present disclosure, and similar parts are designated with similar reference numerals throughout the specification. In addition, the reference numerals used in each drawing are only for the purpose of describing each drawing, and different reference numerals used in different drawings do not indicate different elements.

[0031] Figure 1 illustrates an example of installation of a front camera according to one embodiment.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 1, the front camera (110) may be installed at a downward angle (θ) with respect to the horizontal direction on the front of the front hood (102) of the agricultural work vehicle (100). As illustrated in FIG. 1, the vertical viewing angle (dash line in FIG. 1) of the front camera (110) may be tilted from the horizontal direction toward the ground. The predetermined angle (θ) may be determined based on the installation height and vertical viewing angle of the front camera (110), the minimum proximity distance between the agricultural work vehicle (100) and the front work machine (104), etc., and may be fixed at a specific angle or may be adjustable. For example, the predetermined angle (θ) may be 5 degrees or more, but is not limited thereto.

[0033] Since the main purpose is to provide a field of view to the worker when working using the front work tool (104) of the agricultural work vehicle (100), it is preferable that the front camera (110) be installed so as to face the complete front (i.e., horizontal direction) rather than being installed so as to be inclined downward at a predetermined angle (θ) with respect to the horizontal direction so as to be able to capture at least a portion of the front work tool (104) of the agricultural work vehicle (100) and the ground in front of the agricultural work vehicle (100).

[0034] The front camera (110) can be fixed to the front hood of the agricultural work vehicle (100) via a bracket including an arcuate slot that can adjust the installation angle of the front camera (110). The front camera (110) can be tilted along the arcuate slot and can be fixed to a specific position of the arcuate slot by a connecting member such as a screw.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a front camera assembly according to one embodiment as viewed from the outside of the front hood, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a front camera assembly according to one embodiment as viewed from the inside of the front hood, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a bracket according to one embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a support according to one embodiment.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 2, the front camera (110) may be installed facing forward from the inside of the front hood (102) and may be installed so as to be inclined downward at a predetermined angle (θ) with respect to the horizontal direction. To this end, the front camera (110) may form a front camera assembly together with a coupling module (120) that couples the front camera (110) to the front hood (102) so as to be inclined downward at a predetermined angle (θ) with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0037] The front camera (110) may include a lens cover (112) that protects the lens from external foreign substances (e.g., sand, gravel, etc.). The lens cover (112) may be opened when the front camera (110) is in operation and closed when the front camera (110) is not in operation. The lens cover (112) may protect the lens, which is easily damaged by external foreign substances in an agricultural environment. As described below, whether the front camera (110) is in operation may be determined by a user command input through an operation switch (620 of FIG. 6).

[0038] The coupling module (120) may include a bracket (122) and a support (124).

[0039] The bracket (122) is a configuration that supports and fixes the front camera (110) and allows the installation angle of the front camera (110) to be adjusted, and can be attached toward the front from the inside of the front hood (102).

[0040] The support (124) is a configuration that connects the front camera (110) to the bracket (122), and is fixedly connected to the front camera (110) and can be connected to a specific position of the bracket (122) so that the front camera (110) is installed at a downward angle (θ) with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0041] For this purpose, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the bracket (122) may be composed of a body portion (410) and a front hood joint portion (440).

[0042] The body part (410) may be configured in a U-shape and may form a space in which a support (124) combined with a front camera (110) is placed.

[0043] The front hood coupling portion (440) may be coupled from the inside of the front hood (102) toward the front. The front hood coupling portion (440) may be coupled to the front hood (102) by a first coupling member (310) and may include a third slot (450) through which the first coupling member (310) can pass. For example, the first coupling member (310) may be, but is not limited to, a bolt and a nut. For example, the third slot (450) may be, but is not limited to, a circular through hole.

[0044] The body portion (410) may include a first surface and a second surface corresponding to opposite legs of a U-shape, and a third surface connecting the first surface and the second surface.

[0045] A first slot (420) having an arcuate shape may be formed on the first and second surfaces of the body portion (410) so that a support (124) coupled with a front camera (110) can be coupled downwardly at a predetermined angle (θ) with respect to the horizontal direction. By coupling and fixing the support (124) at a specific position of the first slot (420), the front camera (110) can be installed downwardly at a predetermined angle (θ) with respect to the horizontal direction. The support (124) can be coupled to the first and second surfaces by a second coupling member (320). For example, the second coupling member (320) may be a screw, but is not limited thereto.

[0046] A second slot (430) may be formed on the first and second surfaces of the body portion (410) so that a support (124) coupled with a front camera (110) can be coupled at a fixed position. When the support (124) is coupled and fixed to the first and second surfaces through the second slot (430), the installation angle of the front camera (110) can be adjusted by adjusting the position at which it is coupled to the first slot (420). The support (124) may be coupled to the first and second surfaces by a third coupling member (330). For example, the third coupling member (330) may be a screw, but is not limited thereto.

[0047] The third side of the body (410) forms a space inside a U-shape by connecting the first side and the second side, and can protect the front camera (110) and cable (or harness) installed in the space from other components installed in the front hood (102). The front camera (110) can be supplied with operating power through the cable (or harness) and can transmit the acquired image to another electronic device (e.g., HMI (610 of FIG. 6)).

[0048] The support (124) may be configured in any structure that can be coupled with the front camera (110) and the bracket (122). For example, the support (124) may be configured in a U-shape and may include a third side and a fourth side corresponding to the opposing legs of the U-shape, and a fifth side connecting the third side and the fourth side. The support (124) may be coupled to the body part (410) through the third side and the fourth side, and may be coupled to the front camera (110) through the fifth side.

[0049] A sixth slot (530) through which a second connecting member (320) can pass, and a seventh slot (540) through which a third connecting member (330) can pass, may be formed on the third and fourth sides of the support (124) so ​​as to be coupled with the first and second sides of the body portion (410). The sixth slot (530) and the seventh slot (540) may be formed at positions that can overlap with the first slot (420) and the second slot (430), respectively.

[0050] On the fifth side of the support (124), a fourth slot (510) through which at least a portion of the front camera (110) can pass, and a fifth slot (520) through which a fourth connecting member (340) connecting the front camera (110) and the support (124) can pass, may be formed so that the front camera (110) can be coupled with the support. Meanwhile, a through hole through which the fourth connecting member (340) can pass may be formed in the front camera (110) at a position corresponding to the fifth slot (520).

[0051] Meanwhile, in addition to the way in which the support (124) is fixed to a specific position of the first slot (420), the front camera assembly may also be implemented in a way in which the support (124) can be moved and fixed to any position of the first slot (420). For example, the front camera assembly may further include an actuator that is coupled to the support (124) through the first slot (420) and the sixth slot (530) and can move the support (124) along the first slot (420). In this example, the actuator can move the support (124) based on a user command input through the operation switch (620).

[0052] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a front camera system of an agricultural work vehicle according to one embodiment.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 6, the front camera system (600) of an agricultural work vehicle (100) may include a front camera (110), an HMI (610), and an operation switch (620). However, not all of the illustrated components are essential components. The front camera system (600) may be implemented with more or fewer components than those illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0054] The blocks illustrated in FIG. 6 are merely distinguished for convenience in explaining the operation of the front camera system (600), and do not limit the implementation method of the front camera system (600). For example, the operation switch (620) may be implemented as hardware separate from the HMI (610), or may be implemented as a button provided on one side of the main body of the HMI (610). In addition, the operation switch (620) may be replaced with a touch input of the HMI (610).

[0055] The front camera (110) can obtain an image including at least a portion of the front work machine (104) of the agricultural work vehicle (100) and the ground in front of the agricultural work vehicle (100). For example, the front work machine (104) may include, but is not limited to, a loader, a grapple, a mower, a fork, a snow blower, and a dozer blade. In an example where the front work machine (104) is a loader, the front camera (110) can obtain an image including the bucket of the loader and the ground in front of the agricultural work vehicle (100). The front camera (110) can transmit the obtained image to the HMI (610).

[0056] The HMI (610) may provide an interface through which a user and an agricultural work vehicle (100) may interact. The HMI (610) may include an input interface for receiving user input and an output interface for displaying various information (e.g., engine speed, gear information, etc.) regarding the agricultural work vehicle (100). For example, the HMI (610) may be a touch screen capable of receiving touch input.

[0057] When the HMI (610) receives an operation signal of the front camera (110) from the operation switch (620), it can display the image received from the front camera (110) on the display. The operator can efficiently and safely operate the front work machine (104) through the image displayed on the HMI (610).

[0058] The operation switch (620) can receive a user command to display an image acquired by the front camera (110) on the HMI (610). For example, the operation switch (620) can be any one of a jog dial, a button-type switch, and a toggle-type switch, but is not limited thereto. When the operation switch (620) receives a user command, it can generate an operation signal of the front camera (110) and transmit it to the HMI (610).

[0059] Since the HMI (610) displays various information related to the agricultural work vehicle (100) and receives various user inputs for controlling the agricultural work vehicle (100), the user can input a user command through the operation switch (620) to cause the HMI (610) to display a forward image before starting work after moving to the work site. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and for example, the agricultural work vehicle (100) may be implemented so that the HMI (610) displays a forward image even without a user command when a predetermined condition is satisfied (e.g., activation of the work mode, operation ON of the PTO (Power-Take Off, power take-off device), operation ON of the parking brake, etc.).

[0060] Meanwhile, in an example where the front camera assembly includes an actuator, the operation switch (620) can receive a user command for adjusting the installation angle of the front camera (110) (i.e., a predetermined angle (θ) of FIG. 1). When the operation switch (620) receives the user command, the operation switch (620) can transmit an angle adjustment signal of the front camera (110) to the HMI (610), and the HMI (610) can control the actuator based on the angle adjustment signal.

[0061] The embodiments of the present disclosure described above may be implemented in the form of a recording medium containing computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, executed by a computer. Computer-readable media may include any volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media that can be accessed by a computer. Furthermore, computer-readable media may include computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storing information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Communication media may include computer-readable instructions, data structures, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as program modules.

[0062] The above description of the present disclosure is provided for illustrative purposes only, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present disclosure can be readily modified into other specific forms without altering the technical spirit or essential characteristics of the present disclosure. Therefore, the above descriptions should be understood as illustrative and not limiting. For example, components described in a single form may be implemented in a distributed manner, and similarly, components described in a distributed manner may be implemented in a combined manner.

[0063] The scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims set forth below rather than the detailed description above, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A front camera (110) installed at a predetermined angle (θ) downward with respect to the horizontal direction toward the front on the inside of the front hood (102) of an agricultural work vehicle (100); and Including a coupling module (120) that couples the front camera (110) to the front hood (102) so that it is inclined downward at the predetermined angle (θ) with respect to the horizontal direction. Agricultural work vehicles (100).

2. In paragraph 1, The above combination module (120) is A bracket (122) that supports and fixes the front camera (110) and allows the installation angle of the front camera (110) to be adjusted, and A support (124) that is fixedly connected to the front camera (110) and is connected to a specific position of the bracket (122) so that the front camera (110) is installed to be inclined downward at a predetermined angle (θ) with respect to the horizontal direction. Agricultural work vehicles (100).

3. In paragraph 2, The above bracket (122) is A U-shaped body part (410) forming a space in which the support (124) combined with the front camera (110) is placed, and A front hood joint (440) that is joined toward the front from the inside of the front hood (102) by a first joint member (310), Agricultural work vehicles (100).

4. In paragraph 3, The above body part (410) is A first slot (420) of an arcuate shape, which allows the support (124) coupled with the front camera (110) to be coupled downwardly at a predetermined angle (θ) with respect to the horizontal direction by a second coupling member (320), corresponding to the first and second sides of the U-shaped legs facing each other, and Including a second slot (430) on the first side and the second side so that the support (124) coupled with the front camera (110) can be coupled to a fixed position by a third coupling member (330). Agricultural work vehicles (100).

5. In paragraph 4, The above support (124) is, It is composed of a U-shape, On the third and fourth sides corresponding to the U-shaped legs facing each other, the second connecting member (320) includes a sixth slot (530) through which the second connecting member (320) can pass, and a seventh slot (540) through which the third connecting member (330) can pass, A fifth surface connecting the third surface and the fourth surface includes a fourth slot (510) through which at least a part of the front camera (110) can pass, and a fifth slot (520) through which a fourth connecting member (340) connecting the front camera (110) and the support (124) can pass. Agricultural work vehicles (100).

6. In paragraph 5, Further comprising an actuator coupled to the support (124) through the first slot (420) and the sixth slot (530) and moving the support (124) along the first slot (420). Agricultural work vehicles (100).

7. In paragraph 1, The above front camera (110) includes a lens cover (112) that protects the lens from external foreign substances. Agricultural work vehicles (100).

8. In paragraph 1, A Human-Machine Interface (HMI) (610) that provides an interface through which a user and the agricultural work vehicle (100) can interact; and It further includes an operation switch (620) that receives a user command to display the image acquired by the front camera (110) on the HMI (610). The front camera (110) obtains an image including at least a portion of the front work machine (104) and the ground in front of the agricultural work vehicle (100) and transmits the image to the HMI (610). When the above operation switch (620) receives the user command, it generates an operation signal of the front camera (110) and transmits it to the HMI (610). The above HMI (610) displays the image received from the front camera (110) on the display when receiving the operation signal of the front camera (110) from the operation switch (620). Agricultural work vehicles (100).

9. In paragraph 8, The above HMI (610) is When a certain condition is satisfied, the image received from the front camera (110) is displayed on the display even without the user command. The above conditions are, Including at least one of activation of work mode, operation ON of PTO (Power-Take Off), and operation ON of parking brake, Agricultural work vehicles (100).

Images