Agricultural Machine Path Planning for Topography and Setting Limits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for adapting the movement path of agricultural machines to terrain features do not adequately account for machine-specific setting parameters, leading to suboptimal processing results, especially on curved terrain, as they lack pre-planning of topography-optimized paths and consideration of machine limitations.

Innovation Solution

A method that calculates a topography-optimized movement path for agricultural machines, taking into account both terrain characteristics and machine-specific setting parameters, ensuring that necessary adjustments can be made in real-time, and planning a tramline system that adapts to the machine's capabilities, thereby avoiding settings outside the machine's adjustment range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If a topography-optimized movement path is calculated without considering machine-specific setting parameters, then the path can be planned in advance, but the cultivation result is not improved because the machine cannot implement the required settings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepath planning timeVSAvoidcultivation result
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculation of the movement path by considering both terrain characteristics and machine-specific setting parameters before actual cultivation. This allows the optimal path to be determined in advance while ensuring the machine can implement the required settings, thus avoiding both time loss and poor cultivation results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameters of the movement path calculation by incorporating machine-specific setting parameters (such as working width, speed ranges, and adjustment limitations) into the path planning process. This ensures the calculated path is actually implementable by the specific machine while optimizing for terrain conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the movement path is adapted during cultivation based on terrain characteristics, then the path can follow the topography, but the adjustment options and limitations of the agricultural machine are not taken into account

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterrain adaptationVSAvoidmachine setting feasibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates machine-specific setting parameters and their ranges into the movement path calculation, ensuring that the adapted path considers both terrain characteristics and machine capabilities. This allows the path to be topography-optimized while remaining feasible for the specific machine to execute.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from machine-specific parameters to adjust and optimize the movement path calculation. By considering the actual adjustment options and limitations of the agricultural machine, the system ensures the planned path can be successfully implemented during cultivation operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If a universal movement path calculation is performed for all machines, then the calculation process is simplified, but the path may require settings outside the specific machine's adjustment range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalculation processVSAvoidmachine-specific compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the calculation approach by incorporating machine-specific setting parameters into the movement path optimization process. Rather than using a universal calculation, the system adjusts the parameters considered in the calculation to match the specific capabilities of each machine, ensuring both compatibility and optimality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary input of machine-specific setting parameters before calculating the movement path. This preliminary action ensures that the calculation process is tailored to the specific machine's capabilities from the start, avoiding the need for post-calculation adjustments and ensuring the path is directly implementable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3910443B1Method for determining a movement path for an agricultural machine
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 AMAZONEN WERKE H DREYER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3910443B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3910443B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3910443B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for determining a movement path for an agricultural machine (104) for cultivating an agricultural area (16), comprising the steps of: receiving setting information on variable setting parameters on the agricultural machine (104) and their influence on the cultivation result by a data processing device (10), wherein the received setting information includes predetermined agricultural machine-specific setting ranges of the variable setting parameters, receiving topography information (28) on the agricultural area (16) to be cultivated by the data processing device (10), and calculating a topography-optimized movement path (18) for the agricultural machine (104) for cultivating the agricultural area (16) taking into account the received setting information and the received topography information (28) by the data processing device (10).