Agricultural Route Control Using Field and Machine Mass Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural working machines often deviate from planned routes due to field parameters and total mass, leading to undesirable travel patterns in agricultural fields, which can result in inefficiencies and potential hazards like getting stuck or slipping.

Innovation Solution

An adjustment device within the agricultural working machine adjusts its settings and driving route based on field parameters and total mass, using satellite-based position information and operating parameters to ensure the machine follows a predetermined route, preventing deviations and hazards by adapting inertia and steering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the agricultural working machine follows a predetermined route without adjustment, then the route planning efficiency is improved, but the machine may deviate due to field parameters and total mass changes leading to undesirable travel patterns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroute planning efficiencyVSAvoidroute following accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the predetermined route based on real-time field parameters (moisture content, crop information) and machine parameters (total mass, fill level). The route is not static but adapts continuously to changing conditions, resolving the contradiction between efficient predetermined routing and reliable route following by making the route dynamic rather than fixed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses measurement devices to continuously monitor field parameters and machine operating parameters, feeding this information back to the adjustment device which then modifies the predetermined route. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the machine follows the intended route accurately despite changes in mass or field conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the machine adjusts settings and route based on field parameters and total mass, then route following accuracy is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroute following accuracyVSAvoidadjustment device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment device serves multiple functions: it processes satellite positioning information, integrates field parameter data from measurement devices, monitors machine operating parameters including total mass, calculates optimal routes, and controls the agricultural working machine. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional device, the patent reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high route following accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically monitors its own operating parameters (total mass, fill level) and field conditions, then self-adjusts the route and machine settings without external intervention. This self-service capability reduces the need for complex external control systems and manual adjustments, simplifying the overall system while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the machine travels along predetermined lanes in field area and headland area, then cultivation efficiency is improved, but the machine may get stuck or slip on wet sections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecultivation efficiencyVSAvoidslipping and getting stuck
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary assessment of field parameters including moisture content distribution before finalizing the predetermined route. By提前 identifying wet sections through measurement devices, the system can pre-adjust the route to avoid problematic areas, preventing slipping and getting stuck before they occur while maintaining efficient cultivation patterns

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically changes route parameters based on field moisture content and machine total mass. When wet sections are detected, the system modifies the predetermined route parameters to select alternative lanes or adjust headland track positioning, thereby avoiding harmful conditions while preserving overall cultivation efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This solution enables the agricultural working machine to maintain a predetermined route, improving cultivation efficiency and preventing undesirable travel, such as getting stuck or slipping, by dynamically adjusting its settings and steering in response to field conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a positioning device for satellite-based detection of a position of the agricultural work machine relative to the agricultural field in order to detect the satellite-based position information

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSatellite-based positioning:

Implementation Method 2

the adjustment device can be provided and configured to use the inertia of the entire agricultural work machine, in particular depending on the design of the agricultural work machine and/or the operating conditions of the agricultural work machine, in light of the specified route to adapt the settings of the agricultural work machine and/or to adapt the specified route

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInertia: Inertia

Data Source

PatentEP4490997A1Agricultural machine
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 CLAAS E SYSTEMS GMBH
  • EP4490997A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4490997A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4490997A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an agricultural machine (1) for agricultural use on an agricultural field (2), which has a field area (13) and a headland area (10). The present invention is based on the general idea that an adjusting device (3) adapts the setting of the agricultural machine (1) and/or the predetermined driving route (7, 8, 9, 12) depending on the field parameter and the total mass of the agricultural machine (1) such that the agricultural machine (1) can follow the predetermined driving route (7, 8, 9, 12).