Coordinating Agricultural Machines and Irrigation Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Simultaneously operating multiple agricultural machines and irrigation systems in the same field often results in collisions and interferences, which existing collision detection systems, requiring cameras, LIDAR, and RADAR, are not practical for smaller farms due to their hardware intensity.
Innovation Solution
A processing system that coordinates the movement of agricultural machines and irrigation systems using data from irrigation schedules and machine locations, allowing for interference detection and corrective actions without the need for dedicated collision avoidance hardware, by denying entry, altering routes, or stopping systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If collision detection systems using cameras, LIDAR, and RADAR are implemented, then collision detection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase making it impractical for smaller farms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a processing system as an intermediary that coordinates between the irrigation system and agricultural machines. This mediator uses software-based location tracking and schedule data to detect potential collisions, replacing the need for complex hardware-based collision detection systems on each individual machine.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using physical sensors like cameras and LIDAR to detect collisions, the system creates a virtual model of machine locations and movements based on GPS data and irrigation schedules. This virtual representation allows collision detection through data analysis rather than physical sensing.
2Productivity
If multiple agricultural machines and irrigation systems operate simultaneously in the same field, then productivity is improved, but the risk of collisions and interferences increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processing system continuously receives location data from agricultural machines and status data from the irrigation system, analyzes this feedback information to detect potential collisions, and sends control signals to prevent interference. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables safe simultaneous operation of multiple machines.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary collision detection by analyzing the planned routes and schedules of multiple machines before conflicts occur. By detecting potential collisions in advance and taking preventive action, the system allows multiple machines to operate simultaneously without actual collisions.
3Extent of automation
If autonomous or semi-autonomous machines are used, then labor requirements are reduced, but the likelihood of collisions increases due to lack of operator awareness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the collision detection and coordination function into a centralized processing system that monitors all autonomous machines and the irrigation system. This unified approach compensates for the lack of operator awareness by providing system-level supervision of all autonomous operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and method for coordinating movements of agricultural machines and irrigation systems on irrigated fields to avoid collisions and other interferences between the equipment may be implemented with a mobile irrigation system, a number of agricultural machines, and a processing system. The processing system receives and analyzes data from an irrigation schedule for the irrigation system and location data from the agricultural machines to detect possible interferences between the equipment and takes corrective action if likely interferences are detected.