Guided Vehicle Path Correction for Automatic Steering Switchovers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial vehicles, such as combine harvesters, often veer off course when automatic steering systems fail to correctly switch to new paths, leading to potential damage to the vehicle and surrounding areas due to inadequate path correction mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A path correction system that determines differences in current and initial vehicle headings using location data and statistical modeling, establishing a new path if the difference exceeds a threshold, and sends signals to the steering controller to adjust the vehicle's course, incorporating input from sensors like row feelers and cameras to ensure accurate navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automatic steering systems are used to control vehicle paths, then productivity and ease of operation are improved, but reliability deteriorates due to path deviation and failure to switch to new paths
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors vehicle location data and compares actual vehicle heading with the planned automatic path, using feedback control to detect deviations and trigger path correction when thresholds are exceeded
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-establishes correction paths based on statistical modeling of vehicle behavior before deviations become severe, allowing proactive path adjustment rather than reactive correction
2Reliability
If path correction mechanisms are added to automatic steering systems, then reliability and path following accuracy are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the vehicle's existing location-determining receiver and steering controller, making the correction system self-contained and utilizing already-present hardware components rather than requiring entirely new systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system modifies path parameters dynamically by establishing correction paths based on statistical parameters derived from vehicle location data and heading differences, adjusting navigation parameters rather than physical system architecture
3Measurement precision
If continuous monitoring of vehicle location data is performed, then measurement precision and path following accuracy are improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs full path correction analysis only when the vehicle heading difference exceeds a predetermined threshold, using partial monitoring actions rather than continuous full-scale correction processes
Solution Approach 2:
The system periodically evaluates vehicle location data and heading differences at defined intervals, using periodic rather than continuous processing to reduce energy consumption while maintaining adequate monitoring
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems and methods to determine path selection for automated industrial vehicles. A control system includes a control unit operatively connected to a vehicle engine. A location device is operatively connected to the control unit. A steering controller is operatively connected to the control unit and configured to automatically control the path of the vehicle. The control unit includes a path correction system configured to, determine a current vehicle path from location data received from the location device, determine if the current vehicle path is different from a first automatic path, establish a second automatic path, and send a signal to the steering controller to follow the second automatic path.