Agricultural Swath Planning from Field, Crop, and Rake Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for creating and processing swaths of mown crops in agriculture are inefficient, lacking precise planning and optimization, which affects the overall efficiency and quality of feed production.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for planning swaths using planning data determined by various parameters, including field characteristics, crop type, rake and recovery machine types, and cutting length, to optimize swath size and recovery efficiency, supported by a control unit in an agricultural utility vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If swath creation is performed without precise planning data, then the process is simpler and faster to execute, but the efficiency and quality of feed production deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining planning data before the actual swath creation process. Planning parameters such as field characteristics, crop type, rake type, recovery machine type, and cutting length are collected and processed in advance to generate optimized swath dimensions and positioning data, which then guide the execution phase
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using the determined planning data to control and optimize the swath creation process. The control unit receives planning data, processes it according to algorithms, and generates control commands for the rake and recovery machine, creating a closed-loop system that continuously optimizes based on input parameters
2Extent of automation
If automation is increased in swath creation, then driver workload is reduced and consistency is improved, but initial complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by enabling the rake vehicle to autonomously determine and execute swath creation based on planning data. The control unit automatically processes planning parameters, calculates optimal swath dimensions, and controls the rake operation without requiring continuous manual intervention, allowing the system to serve itself through automated decision-making
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control with automated electronic control systems. Instead of relying on driver experience and manual adjustment, the system uses electronic processing of planning data, automated algorithms, and electronic control commands to manage the swath creation process, substituting mechanical decision-making with electronic automation
3Productivity
If swath dimensions are optimized based on multiple parameters, then recovery efficiency is improved, but the planning process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit applies universality by serving multiple functions: it processes various types of planning parameters (field data, crop type, rake type, recovery machine type, cutting length), executes multiple calculation algorithms, and generates comprehensive planning data for different aspects of swath creation and recovery, making a single system handle diverse computational tasks
Data Source
AI summary
A method for planning a swath which is created by a rake by raking together a crop mown on an agricultural field, includes determining via a control unit planning data of the swath as a function of at least one of the following planning parameters: field data representing at least one characteristic of the mown agricultural field, a type of the crop, a type of a planned rake, a type of a planned recovery machine for recovering the created swath, and a cutting length of the swath material processed during a recovery.