3D Elevation Modeling for Agricultural Vehicle Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current two-dimensional depictions of agricultural vehicle layouts fail to accurately account for topographical factors like slope and contours, leading to operator reliance on judgment and manual control, resulting in unpredictability and variability in vehicle operations across different tractors.
Innovation Solution
The creation of three-dimensional guidance paths using digital elevation models incorporating location information, historical crop yields, water management data, and soil conditions, which can be adjusted in real-time based on vehicle performance and operating conditions, facilitated by a control system that integrates with navigation and auto-pilot systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If two-dimensional depictions of layout guidelines are used, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but it cannot accurately account for topographical factors like slope and contours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional plan views to three-dimensional elevation models that incorporate vertical dimension data. This allows the system to represent slope, contours, and elevation changes while maintaining automated guidance capabilities through GPS integration and terrain-based path optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters used to represent terrain from simple planar coordinates to multi-dimensional elevation data including height, slope angle, and contour information. This enables more accurate representation of topographical factors while the automated processing algorithms handle the increased data complexity.
2Reliability
If operators use judgment and guesswork to determine optimal vehicle paths, then the system remains simple, but predictability and uniformity of operations between multiple vehicles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates real-time feedback loops where GPS location data, terrain elevation information, and vehicle performance metrics are continuously monitored. The control system automatically adjusts guidance paths based on this feedback, ensuring consistent and predictable operations across multiple vehicles while adapting to changing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated guidance system enables vehicles to self-navigate along optimized paths without requiring continuous operator intervention. The system independently processes terrain data, calculates optimal routes, and provides steering guidance, ensuring uniformity in operations while reducing the need for manual control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If significant manual control is required to account for operating conditions, then the system remains flexible, but the extent of automation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts guidance paths in real-time based on changing operating conditions such as terrain variations, slope changes, and vehicle performance data. The automated control system processes this dynamic information and continuously optimizes the guidance trajectory, maintaining high adaptability while maximizing automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of terrain elevation data and operating conditions to pre-calculate optimized guidance paths before vehicle operation begins. This preliminary action allows the automated system to anticipate and adapt to upcoming terrain challenges, maintaining flexibility and adaptability while reducing the need for reactive manual control.
Data Source
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AI summary
Novel tools and techniques for creating and implementing three-dimensional guidance paths for use in conjunction with more or one agricultural vehicles operating in an area of operation.