Autonomous Asparagus Harvesting Vehicle with Sensor Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing harvesting vehicles for crops, such as green asparagus, require significant user training and concentration to operate efficiently, as they demand simultaneous steering, accelerating, and harvesting, leading to reduced productivity and reliability.

Innovation Solution

A harvesting vehicle equipped with sensor means for detecting crops and a control unit that autonomously controls acceleration, deceleration, and steering, allowing the user to focus solely on harvesting by determining the vehicle's speed and direction based on sensor data, thereby simplifying operation and improving efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the user operates the harvesting vehicle manually with foot accelerator and hand joystick, then the vehicle can be controlled to move and steer, but the user requires significant training and concentration, reducing harvesting efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEase of operationVSAvoidHarvesting efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle autonomously controls its own movement and steering by receiving position information from GPS modules and obstacle information from sensors, then automatically adjusting speed and direction without requiring continuous manual intervention. The control unit processes data from multiple sources and independently decides acceleration, deceleration, and steering actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical control (foot accelerator, hand joystick) with an automated control system that uses electronic sensors, GPS positioning, and a microcontroller to automatically regulate vehicle movement. This substitution eliminates the need for coordinated manual operations while maintaining precise control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the user simultaneously steers and harvests asparagus, then both tasks can be performed, but the difficulty of simultaneous operation reduces productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveMulti-task capabilityVSAvoidHarvesting speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle autonomously handles navigation and obstacle avoidance by continuously monitoring its position via GPS and detecting obstacles with sensors. The control unit automatically adjusts steering and speed to maintain safe operation, freeing the user to concentrate exclusively on the harvesting task.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the operational tasks into two independent segments: autonomous vehicle control (navigation, speed regulation, obstacle avoidance) and manual harvesting operations. This segmentation allows each task to be optimized separately, with the vehicle handling complex coordination while the user performs simple harvesting actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the vehicle moves over agricultural land, then it can reach different harvesting areas, but uneven terrain and obstacles require constant manual adjustment, increasing operational complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveTerrain adaptabilityVSAvoidControl complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle incorporates multiple sensors that continuously monitor terrain conditions, obstacles, and vehicle position. This real-time feedback is processed by the control unit, which automatically adjusts speed and steering to navigate uneven terrain and avoid obstacles without requiring manual intervention or complex control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex manual terrain adaptation with an automated system that uses electronic sensors and GPS to detect position and obstacles, then uses a microcontroller to automatically regulate motor speed and steering. This substitution simplifies the control interface while maintaining high adaptability to varying terrain conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3298877B1Harvesting vehicle for harvesting of crops by a user, in particular green asparagus

Publication Date: 2019.09.25 ENGELS FAMILIE HLDG

Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~2a
Figure 2b~3a

AI summary

The invention relates to a harvesting vehicle (1) for harvesting crops by a user. The vehicle (1) comprises a vehicle frame (3) and transport means (5, 7) which are connected thereto as well as drive means (5, 7, 7) which are configured for driving the transport means (5, 7) and are connected to the vehicle frame (3). The harvesting vehicle (1) is configured in such a way that it is movable above and over a row of crops, such as green asparagus, by means of the drive means (5, 7, 7) and the transport means (5, 7). In addition, a user seat (11) is provided which delimits a working space for the user, with the user being able to harvest at least a part of crops in the row of crops situated in the working space. According to the invention, the harvesting vehicle (1) is provided with sensor means (8) and a control unit (9) connected thereto. The sensor means (8) make it possible to detect, for example, the crops, after which the control unit (9) may control the drive means (5, 7, 7) on the basis of a crop detected by the sensor means (8) to accelerate, decelerate and/or change the direction of the vehicle (1).