Agricultural Route Planning for Different Working Widths

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for generating route plans for agricultural working machines fail to account for differences in working widths, leading to inefficient and redundant processing due to uncaptured areas that have already been processed by preceding machines.

Innovation Solution

The method involves determining route plans for subsequent processing steps based on specific work result parameters from preceding steps, such as placement width and position, using data transmission between machines or a farm management system to adjust travel paths and avoid double processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If route plans are determined only based on working width of preceding machines, then route planning is simplified, but redundant processing occurs when working widths differ

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroute planning complexityVSAvoidfield processing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by determining and transmitting work result parameters (placement width and position) from the preceding processing step before the subsequent machine begins its operation. This allows the subsequent machine's route plan to be optimized in advance based on actual work results, preventing redundant processing while maintaining efficient planning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by transmitting actual work result parameters from the preceding processing step to influence the route planning of the subsequent processing step. The placement width and position data serve as feedback that allows dynamic adjustment of route plans, ensuring that subsequent machines process only unprocessed areas and avoid redundant operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of time

If working width differences are not considered, then route planning is faster, but sections without crop are processed redundantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroute planning timeVSAvoidredundant processing energy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by determining and transmitting work result parameters (placement width and position) from the preceding processing step before the subsequent machine begins its operation. This allows the subsequent machine's route plan to be optimized in advance based on actual work results, preventing redundant processing while maintaining efficient planning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by transmitting actual work result parameters from the preceding processing step to influence the route planning of the subsequent processing step. The placement width and position data serve as feedback that allows dynamic adjustment of route plans, ensuring that subsequent machines process only unprocessed areas and avoid redundant operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If work result parameters are transmitted between machines, then route optimization is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefield processing efficiencyVSAvoiddata transmission system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies universality by using a farm management system that performs multiple functions: it stores work result parameters, transmits them between machines, and coordinates route planning. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into a single system rather than requiring separate dedicated systems for each function.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The farm management system acts as an intermediary that mediates between the preceding and subsequent processing machines. It receives work result parameters from one machine, processes and stores them, and transmits relevant information to the next machine, thereby simplifying the direct communication requirements between machines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If placement width and position are used for route planning, then redundant processing is eliminated, but measurement precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidplacement parameter precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by using only the critical work result parameters (placement width and position) that are most relevant for route optimization, rather than requiring complete and ultra-precise measurement of all possible work characteristics. This selective approach achieves sufficient precision for eliminating redundant processing without excessive measurement requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4585026A1Method for generating route plans
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 CLAAS SAULGAU GMBH
  • EP4585026A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4585026A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4585026A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for generating route plans for at least two agricultural working machines (1, 1', 2) carrying out different processing steps, which carry out the respective processing machine-specific processing step on a field (F) at a time-staggered manner, wherein the execution of the subsequent processing step depends on the execution of the preceding processing step, wherein the route plan for carrying out the preceding processing step is determined as a function of a working width (AB1, AB1') of the working machine (1, 1') carrying out the preceding processing step, wherein the route planning for carrying out the subsequent processing step by the working machine (2) carrying out the subsequent processing step depends on the working width (AB1, AB1') of the working machine (1, 1') carrying out the preceding processing step,1') different working width (AB2) depending on at least one specific work result parameter of the execution of the preceding processing step.,