Agricultural Machine Peer-to-Peer Parameter Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
In agricultural operations, particularly with combine harvesters, varying performance parameters among machines lead to inefficiencies due to differences in operator expertise and field conditions, and existing communication systems fail to uniformly establish optimal parameters across multiple machines.
Innovation Solution
A peer-to-peer wireless network system among agricultural machines allows for the distribution of performance parameters from an exemplar machine to others, enabling uniform operation by establishing a substitute set of base operating parameters through short-range communications, using an operating system with a master machine control, operator interface, sensor input, and communications control portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If each agricultural machine operates with its own machine-specific performance parameters, then the machine can be operated according to individual operator preferences and experiences, but the overall efficiency and productivity of the fleet is reduced due to lack of standardization
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a digital copy of the base operating set of performance parameters from an exemplar machine and transmits it to other machines in the fleet. This allows operators to replicate successful parameter sets across multiple machines, standardizing performance while maintaining the ability to operate with proven effective settings. The copying mechanism enables knowledge transfer from expert operators to less experienced ones without requiring direct intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where performance parameters from machines operating with higher efficiency are identified and transmitted to machines with lower efficiency. This creates a continuous improvement loop where successful operational patterns are shared across the fleet, allowing less efficient machines to learn from and replicate the settings of more efficient ones, thereby raising overall fleet productivity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If performance parameters are customized for each machine based on operator experience, then individual operational nuances are captured, but variations in operator expertise lead to inconsistent performance across the fleet
Solution Approach 1:
By copying the base operating set of performance parameters from a designated exemplar machine to all other machines in the fleet, the system ensures that all machines operate with the same standardized parameters. This eliminates the variability introduced by different operator experiences while maintaining adaptability, as the standardized parameters represent the most effective operational settings identified by the exemplar operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enforces homogeneity across the fleet by requiring all machines to operate with a standardized base operating set of performance parameters. This ensures that all machines in the fleet perform similarly under the same operating conditions, improving reliability and predictability of fleet-wide performance while eliminating the inconsistency caused by operator-dependent parameter variations.
3Productivity
If a centralized communication system is used to distribute performance parameters, then parameter standardization can be achieved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses wireless communication technology as an intermediary to transmit performance parameters between machines. This intermediary approach allows for straightforward parameter distribution without requiring complex centralized control infrastructure. The communication system acts as a simple bridge that enables machines to exchange parameter data directly, maintaining low system complexity while achieving standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transmits a digital copy of the base operating set of performance parameters from the exemplar machine to other machines in the fleet. This copying approach eliminates the need for complex parameter configuration systems, as the parameters are simply replicated and transmitted electronically. The simplicity of the copying mechanism allows for easy standardization without increasing system complexity or requiring expensive centralized communication infrastructure.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for enabling the communication to and establishment among a plurality of generally like and like-purpose agricultural machines designed to perform generally similar agricultural operations within a given area generally like performance parameters, especially based upon the performance parameters of a particular agricultural machine that is considered or deemed to be the expert or exemplar machine, which system and method employ short range communications systems included in or associated with the operating systems of the individual agricultural machines to effect the distribution of the exemplar performance parameters to the plurality of agricultural machines, through a peer to peer wireless network between and among the plurality of agricultural machines for point to point communications, for use by the individual agricultural machines in controlling and performing the agricultural operation.