Agricultural Vehicle Reference Lane Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for generating reference lanes for automatic route planning in agricultural vehicles are prone to errors, especially in large areas, as selecting start and end points on a touchscreen monitor is difficult due to the need to view multiple parallel routes simultaneously, leading to inaccurate selections and increased driver distraction.
Innovation Solution
A method that records the vehicle's route, identifies sections without significant directional changes, and selects the highest quality section as the reference lane, allowing the system to preselect and display options for user confirmation, reducing driver input and minimizing errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the driver manually selects start and end points on a touchscreen monitor, then the reference lane can be defined, but the selection accuracy deteriorates due to the need to view multiple parallel routes simultaneously on large areas
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically analyzes the recorded route data and identifies suitable reference lane sections without requiring manual driver input. The evaluation unit autonomously assesses multiple candidate sections based on predetermined criteria (straightness, length, positioning accuracy) and selects the optimal reference lane, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating manual selection errors
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of multiple candidate reference lane sections before final selection. By pre-analyzing route quality metrics and preparing ranked candidates, the system ensures accurate selection without requiring the driver to manually examine and compare multiple routes on the touchscreen
2Ease of operation
If the driver defines start and end points while driving, then the reference lane can be created, but the probability of forgetting to generate signals increases, especially when attention is focused on steering
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects when the vehicle has completed a reference lane section and generates the necessary start/stop signals without requiring driver action. The evaluation unit continuously monitors route data and autonomously identifies completion points, relieving the driver of signal generation tasks while maintaining reliable reference lane creation
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous feedback by monitoring vehicle position and route progress, automatically generating signals when predefined conditions are met. This closed-loop approach ensures reliable signal generation based on objective route completion criteria rather than relying on driver memory or attention
3Ease of operation
If the system automatically selects reference lanes, then driver workload is reduced, but the system complexity increases due to route analysis and evaluation criteria
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic reference lane selection system is divided into distinct functional modules: a recording unit that captures route data, an evaluation unit that assesses candidate sections using predetermined criteria, and a selection unit that chooses the optimal reference lane. This segmentation manages system complexity by organizing functions into independent, manageable components
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses predetermined objective parameters (straightness, length, positioning accuracy) to evaluate and compare candidate reference lane sections. By transforming the complex task of reference lane selection into a parameter-based evaluation process, the system manages complexity through quantifiable metrics rather than subjective driver judgment
4Measurement precision
If multiple candidate reference lanes are evaluated, then the quality of the selected reference lane improves, but the time required for selection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of multiple candidate reference lane sections using predetermined criteria before final selection. By pre-ranking candidates based on objective metrics (straightness, length, positioning accuracy), the system quickly identifies the optimal reference lane without time-consuming manual comparison, improving both quality and efficiency
Data Source
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AI summary
In a method for obtaining a reference lane (26, 30) for the automatic route planning of an agricultural vehicle, comprising the steps of: a) driving an initial route (1) on an agricultural area (2) to be cultivated; b) recording the initial route (1) in a data processing device; c) selecting at least one section (5-1, 5-2, 5-3, 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 7, 8) of the recorded initial route (1) as a reference lane; The curvature of the output route (1) is estimated over its entire length by the data processing unit, and in step c) a section (5-1, 5-2, 5-3, 6-1, 6-2, 6-3) is selected as the reference lane only if the curvature over the entire length of the section (5-1, 5-2, 5-3, 6-1, 6-2, 6-3) falls below a limit value.