Autonomous Grain Cart Dimensioned for Header Clearance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large agricultural vehicles and machines increase operational and acquisition costs, soil compaction, and reduce crop yield due to their size and weight, making maintenance and transportation challenging.

Innovation Solution

An autonomous grain cart system that fits behind the header of an agricultural vehicle, equipped with a controller, drive system, and steering system, allowing for continuous conveying of agricultural products without the need for an additional tractor, reducing vehicle and operator costs, and minimizing soil compaction by allowing 180-degree turns and reduced travel paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the size of agricultural vehicles and machines is increased to improve productivity, then harvesting efficiency is improved, but acquisition and operational costs increase, and transportation becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharvesting efficiencyVSAvoidvehicle size

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the grain conveying function into two separate components: the agricultural vehicle (combine) that harvests grain and the autonomous grain cart that transports it. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the combine focuses on harvesting while the smaller autonomous cart handles transport, eliminating the need for oversized vehicles that perform both functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The grain cart is equipped with autonomous navigation capabilities including GPS receivers, controllers, and drive systems that enable it to operate independently without requiring a separate tractor or operator. The cart autonomously navigates to the combine, positions itself for loading, and transports grain to storage facilities, performing the transport service to itself rather than being pulled by another vehicle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If the size of agricultural vehicles and machines is increased to improve productivity, then harvesting efficiency is improved, but soil compaction increases and crop yield is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharvesting efficiencyVSAvoidsoil compaction

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the harvesting function (combine) from the transport function (autonomous grain cart), the system eliminates the need for large tractors that would be required to pull traditional grain carts. The autonomous cart's smaller size and weight significantly reduce soil compaction while maintaining efficient grain transport capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical牵引 system (tractor pulling grain cart) with an autonomous navigation system using GPS receivers, controllers, and electronic control systems. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy tractors, thereby reducing soil compaction while maintaining transport efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If the size of agricultural vehicles and machines is increased to improve productivity, then harvesting efficiency is improved, but maintenance operations become more difficult and impact crop production

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharvesting efficiencyVSAvoidmaintenance difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates maintenance requirements into two smaller, more manageable components: the combine and the autonomous grain cart. Each can be maintained independently with smaller equipment and fewer resources, reducing the impact of maintenance operations on crop production compared to maintaining a single large integrated vehicle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If traditional grain carts are used that require additional tractors, then grain transport is achieved, but vehicle and operator costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrain transport capabilityVSAvoidnumber of vehicles required

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The autonomous grain cart integrates multiple functions into a single vehicle: autonomous navigation, grain reception from the combine, grain storage, and transport to storage facilities. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate tractors and operators for each function, reducing overall vehicle and operational costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11372402B2Autonomous grain cart dimensioned to fit behind header

Publication Date: 2022.06.28 BLUE LEAF I P INC

AI summary

An autonomous grain cart includes a width less than or equal to a distance from an end of the header of an agricultural vehicle to a lateral side of the agricultural vehicle, wherein the end and the lateral side are on a same longitudinal side of a lateral centerline of the agricultural vehicle, wherein the autonomous grain cart is configured to receive grain from the agricultural vehicle. The autonomous grain cart also includes a controller, comprising a processor and a memory. The autonomous grain cart further includes a drive system communicatively coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to instruct the drive system to propel the autonomous grain cart. The autonomous grain cart also includes a steering system communicatively coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to instruct the steering system to steer the autonomous grain cart.