Sensor arrangement for an agricultural vehicle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electro-optical sensor systems for agricultural vehicles face limitations in resolution and coverage due to the use of wide-angle lenses or multiple cameras, leading to insufficient texture analysis and impaired line of sight, especially when dealing with large working widths and potential obstructions like dust.
Innovation Solution
A sensor arrangement featuring two electro-optical sensors with intersecting optical axes, positioned at a greater distance from the surface to be observed, allowing for a cross-eyed configuration that improves coverage and reduces imaging defects, enabling better texture analysis and stereo analysis while using lenses with smaller viewing angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If wide-angle lenses are used to monitor large working widths, then the coverage area is improved, but the resolution and texture analysis capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monitoring task into multiple electro-optical sensors, each with a smaller field of view, positioned at different locations on the agricultural vehicle. This segmentation allows each sensor to maintain high resolution while collectively covering the entire working width, resolving the contradiction between coverage area and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-plane sensor arrangement to a three-dimensional configuration where sensors are positioned at different heights and angles, with optical axes intersecting at a common point. This spatial dimensionality change enables both wide coverage and high resolution by viewing the same region from multiple perspectives.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple cameras are distributed adjacent to one another to cover large working widths, then the coverage is improved, but gaps and dead angles appear between fields of view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fields of view of multiple sensors by positioning them so their optical axes intersect at a common point in space. This convergence ensures that adjacent fields of view overlap and complement each other, eliminating gaps and dead angles while maintaining comprehensive coverage of the working width.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing sensors in a single horizontal line, the patent distributes them in three-dimensional space at different heights and orientations. This spatial distribution allows the fields of view to converge at an intersection point, ensuring complete coverage without gaps that would occur with simple adjacent placement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sensors are positioned close to the surface to be sensed, then the viewing angle is improved, but the line of sight is impaired by dust and obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions sensors at elevated locations on the vehicle structure, utilizing the vertical dimension to place optical components above the dust-generating working area. This height advantage provides both a favorable viewing angle and protection from dust impairment, as the intersection point of optical axes is positioned above the harmful environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate spatial structure (the vehicle body and mounting platform) that positions sensors at an optimal distance and elevation from the working surface. This intermediary positioning allows the optical axes to intersect at a point that balances viewing angle requirements with protection from dust and obstructions.
4Measurement precision
If a single camera with a smaller viewing angle is used, then the resolution is improved, but the coverage area is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coverage area into multiple zones, each monitored by a dedicated electro-optical sensor with a smaller, higher-resolution field of view. The collective arrangement of these segmented sensors achieves both the desired resolution of individual sensors and the comprehensive coverage of the entire working width.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses three-dimensional spatial arrangement to multiply the effective coverage area. By positioning sensors at different locations and orientations with intersecting optical axes, the system achieves wide coverage without requiring any single sensor to have a large field of view, thus maintaining high resolution across the entire monitored area.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor arrangement for an agricultural vehicle includes a first electro-optical sensor including a first field of view having an optical axis, and a second electro-optical sensor including a second field of view having an optical axis. The first and second sensors are spaced apart from one another and oriented such that the optical axes of the two sensors intersect at a distance from the two sensors.