Agricultural Vehicle Path Detection Using Imaging Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural vehicle steering systems fail to detect deviations from a target path, leading to unintended contact with plant rows, which can result in damage and inefficiencies in agricultural operations.
Innovation Solution
An imaging sensor system is integrated into agricultural vehicles, providing a field of view that includes both the ground engaging members and adjacent plant rows. This system detects contact between the vehicle and plants, allowing for corrective measures and supporting automatic steering systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing agricultural vehicle steering systems are used, then the vehicle can operate in the field, but the system fails to detect deviations from the target path, leading to unintended contact with plant rows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate detection device (camera or sensor system) positioned on the agricultural vehicle that acts as a mediator between the vehicle's steering system and the plant rows. This intermediary detects the vehicle's position and orientation relative to the target path and provides feedback signals to prevent contact with plant rows, thereby resolving the contradiction between vehicle operation and plant protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the detection device continuously monitors the vehicle's position and orientation, compares it with the target path, and provides real-time feedback signals to the steering system. This closed-loop feedback enables automatic correction of deviations before they result in plant row contact, improving measurement precision and preventing harmful effects.
2Reliability
If no path detection system is installed, then the vehicle structure remains simple, but the vehicle cannot detect deviations from the target path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical path following systems with optical or electronic detection devices (cameras, sensors) that use light or electromagnetic fields to detect position and orientation. This substitution maintains high reliability in path following while reducing mechanical complexity compared to traditional mechanical steering systems with multiple linkages and mechanical feedback mechanisms.
3Measurement precision
If the image sensor system monitors both ground engaging members and plant rows, then contact detection is achieved, but the sensor system requires complex positioning and calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the detection of ground engaging members and plant rows into a single integrated image sensor system with a combined field of view. By using one sensor system to perform both detection functions simultaneously, the patent achieves contact detection precision while reducing the complexity that would result from using separate sensor systems for each detection task.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for detecting a path of an agricultural vehicle in a field comprising: a ground engaging member supporting the agricultural vehicle; and an image sensor system associated with the agricultural vehicle, the image sensor system configured with a field of view including the ground engaging member and a plant row in the field adjacent to the ground engaging member and detecting a deviation from a target path of the agricultural vehicle wherein the ground engaging members contact the plant row.