Agricultural Distance Sensor Calibration for Terrain Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor systems for agricultural vehicles are complex and require multiple sensors to set one parameter, leading to deviations from ideal operating characteristics, and adjusting settings after contact with the ground surface results in suboptimal performance.
Innovation Solution
A simple sensor system utilizing a distance sensor, preferably a 3D camera, connected to a control unit to measure the distance between the sensor and ground points ahead, allowing for pre-contact adjustments and optimal operation by analyzing sub-zones of the ground surface, with a calibration method that includes reference measurements on flat ground for reliable automatic control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to set one parameter, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ground surface measurement into multiple sub-zones using a single distance sensor, where each sub-zone provides specific information about the terrain. This segmentation approach allows the system to achieve comprehensive measurement coverage without requiring multiple separate sensors, thus maintaining measurement accuracy while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a 3D camera to capture spatial information in three dimensions, transforming a potentially complex multi-sensor problem into a single multi-dimensional measurement solution. The 3D camera provides depth, width, and height information simultaneously, enabling accurate terrain assessment without multiple separate sensors.
2Loss of time
If adjustments are made after contact with ground surface, then response time is reduced, but operational optimality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent measures the ground surface in advance before the agricultural vehicle contacts it, using the distance sensor to capture terrain information ahead of time. This preliminary measurement allows the control system to calculate optimal settings and prepare adjustments before actual contact occurs, ensuring both rapid response and operational optimality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system compensates for potential operational deviations by calculating optimal settings in advance based on preliminary ground surface measurements. This beforehand cushioning ensures that when the vehicle contacts the ground, the settings are already optimized, preventing operational suboptimality while maintaining fast response time.
3Device complexity
If a single distance sensor is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement task by dividing the ground surface into multiple sub-zones that can be measured individually by a single distance sensor. Each sub-zone measurement contributes to the overall terrain understanding, allowing the system to achieve comprehensive and accurate measurement coverage without requiring multiple sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The single distance sensor is designed to perform multiple functions: measuring different sub-zones of the ground surface, determining terrain characteristics, calculating optimal vehicle settings, and providing real-time feedback for control adjustments. This multi-functionality compensates for the absence of multiple specialized sensors.
4Loss of time
If real-time measurements are taken at vehicle contact, then measurement timing is optimized, but operational deviations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs ground surface measurements in advance before the vehicle contacts the terrain. This preliminary action provides the control system with sufficient time to calculate optimal settings and implement adjustments before actual operational contact occurs, eliminating operational deviations while maintaining real-time responsiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from preliminary distance measurements to continuously monitor and adjust vehicle settings in real-time. By comparing actual ground surface conditions with expected conditions, the control system can make timely adjustments to maintain optimal operational configuration, preventing deviations before they affect performance.
Data Source
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AI summary
Method for calibrating a distance sensor 2 which is placed on an agricultural vehicle 1 and provided for the purpose of measuring the distance between the sensor 2 and a set of points on a ground surface 4 in front of the agricultural vehicle 1, wherein the method comprises the following steps of: performing a reference measurement when the agricultural vehicle is standing on a paved and substantially flat ground surface; processing the results of the reference measurement to reference data for use as reference during further measurements; storing the reference data in a memory.