Agricultural Machine Positioning With Internal and External Field Maps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural machines lack precise positioning outside of agricultural fields, limiting their ability to navigate and operate effectively in external areas.
Innovation Solution
An assistance system for agricultural machines that includes a first position detector to determine the vehicle's position, a map creator to generate internal and external maps, and an assistance device to guide operations based on these maps, using satellite positioning and environmental sensors to enhance positioning accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS satellite positioning is used to determine whether the vehicle is on a road or on an agricultural field, then the determination of on-field/on-road status is achieved, but the precision of vehicle position grasping outside the agricultural field deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the positioning system into two segments: GPS satellite positioning for determining on-field/on-road status, and terrestrial positioning infrastructure (road position information, field position information) for precise position grasping outside the agricultural field. This segmentation allows each segment to optimize for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between determination reliability and position measurement precision.
2Ease of operation
If only on-field/on-road determination is implemented, then the basic navigation function is achieved, but the capability to precisely grasp position outside the agricultural field deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal positioning system that serves multiple functions: it can determine on-field/on-road status for basic navigation, and simultaneously provide precise position grasping outside the agricultural field by integrating with terrestrial positioning infrastructure. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If the assistance system integrates multiple positioning methods (GPS, terrestrial positioning infrastructure), then the position precision outside the agricultural field is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an assistance device as an intermediary that manages the integration between GPS satellite positioning and terrestrial positioning infrastructure. This intermediary coordinates the multiple positioning methods, processes the position information, and provides the final position result, thereby reducing the complexity burden on the overall system while maintaining high position precision.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the map creator creates external maps indicating external areas outside the agricultural field, then the navigation capability outside the field is improved, but the loss of information about external area positions increases without the system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the map creator pre-create external maps indicating external areas outside the agricultural field before the vehicle actually travels there. This advance preparation ensures that position information for external areas is already available and stored, preventing information loss when the vehicle needs to be precisely located outside the field.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise positioning and navigation of agricultural machines outside the field, allowing for enhanced operation and functionality in external environments.
Implementation Method 1
a first position detector provided in or on an agricultural machine and configured to detect a vehicle-body position which is a position of the agricultural machine
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention makes it possible to accurately know a position of an agricultural machine being outside of an agricultural field. An assistance system (S) for an agricultural machine (1) includes: a first position detector (30) provided in or on the agricultural machine (1) to detect a vehicle-body position (VP) that is a position of the agricultural machine (1); a map creator (55) configured or programmed to create an external map which indicates an external area (E2) outside the agricultural field (G) and includes a periphery of the agricultural field (G); and an assistance device (80) configured or programmed to assist the agricultural machine (1) based on the vehicle-body position (VP) detected by the first position detection device (30) and based on the external map created by the map creator (55). The map creator (55) is configured or programmed to create an internal map of an internal area (E1) of the field (G) in addition to the external map, thereby creating an entire map of the inside of the field (G) and the outside of the field (G).