Agricultural Steering Wheel Sensor for Automatic Mode Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural work machines require manual activation of automatic steering, which can be forgotten or missed due to driver inattentiveness, leading to suboptimal lane following in agricultural fields.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural work machine equipped with a sensor device that generates a steering wheel contact signal based on driver interaction, allowing automatic steering activation when the wheel is untouched, and deactivation when touched, utilizing a setting device with computing capabilities and satellite-based position information to ensure optimal lane following.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual activation of automatic steering is required, then the driver has control over steering mode, but the activation can be forgotten or missed due to driver inattentiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects when the driver releases the steering wheel and autonomously activates automatic steering mode without requiring manual intervention. The sensor device monitors steering wheel contact and the control device automatically switches modes, making the system self-activating and eliminating reliance on driver memory or attention.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor device continuously monitors whether the driver is touching the steering wheel and provides feedback to the control device. When the sensor detects that the driver has released the steering wheel, it triggers an automatic mode switch, creating a closed-loop feedback system that ensures reliable activation based on actual driver behavior.
2Reliability
If automatic steering is activated without manual input, then activation reliability improves, but the system complexity increases due to sensor and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel serves multiple functions: it is both the manual control interface and the sensor mounting location. The sensor device integrated into the steering wheel structure detects driver contact and triggers automatic mode switching, combining multiple functions into a single component to reduce overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor device acts as an intermediary between the driver's physical interaction with the steering wheel and the control device. It translates physical contact into electrical signals that automatically trigger mode switching, simplifying the control logic while improving reliability.
3Speed
If the driver can quickly deactivate automatic steering by touching the wheel, then responsiveness to obstacles improves, but the system requires continuous monitoring capability
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device continuously monitors steering wheel contact and provides real-time feedback to the control device. When the driver touches the steering wheel during automatic steering, the system immediately detects this input and deactivates automatic mode, ensuring rapid response to driver intentions while maintaining system reliability through continuous monitoring.
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
Simplifies automatic steering activation, prevents missed turns, and ensures the machine drives optimally along specified lanes without manual intervention, allowing for increased automation and efficient field work.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor device has at least one induction sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an agricultural machine (1) for agricultural use in an agricultural field (2), wherein this machine (1) has a steering wheel (3) for a driver (4) for manually steering the agricultural machine (1). The present invention is based on the general concept that automatic steering of the agricultural machine (1) is activated and/or deactivated depending on a steering wheel touch signal from a sensor device (5).