Auxiliary Vehicle Control on Loading Ramps for Autonomous Farm Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural machines with autonomous driving functions require less manual intervention, necessitating a system that allows operators to perform tasks other than supervising and correcting the autonomous process, such as driving to another point of interest.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural machine with an auxiliary vehicle and control unit that enables a combined or separated configuration, allowing manual control of either vehicle independently or as a single unit, with features like a loading ramp, lifting device, protective structure, and securing elements to ensure safe transitions and operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the agricultural machine operates in autonomous mode, then the operator can concentrate on implements and field treatment, but the operator cannot perform other tasks such as driving to another point of interest
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments control into two independent modes: autonomous driving control for the agricultural vehicle and manual driving control for the auxiliary vehicle. This allows the operator to switch between concentrating on field treatment tasks via the agricultural vehicle's autonomous mode and performing mobility tasks via the auxiliary vehicle's manual mode, thereby resolving the contradiction between field treatment efficiency and operator task flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed to be universal, supporting both autonomous operation of the agricultural vehicle and manual operation of the auxiliary vehicle through a single human-machine interface. This multi-functionality enables the operator to perform diverse tasks including field surveillance, auxiliary vehicle driving, and implement monitoring without requiring separate systems, thus maintaining both productivity and adaptability
2Ease of operation
If the manual driving function is enabled for the auxiliary vehicle in combined configuration, then the operator can control the auxiliary vehicle, but unintended drop down of the auxiliary vehicle from the loading ramp may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the availability of manual driving functions based on the detected configuration state. When the auxiliary vehicle is detected on the loading ramp (combined configuration), the manual driving function for the auxiliary vehicle is automatically disabled to prevent unintended movement and ensure safe transport. When the auxiliary vehicle is removed from the loading ramp (separated configuration), the manual driving function is enabled. This dynamic control strategy resolves the contradiction by adapting system behavior to operational context
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors the position state of the auxiliary vehicle relative to the loading ramp and provides feedback to the driving function enablement logic. This feedback mechanism ensures that the manual driving function is only permitted when the system detects the auxiliary vehicle is in a safe, separated configuration, thereby preventing unsafe operations while maintaining ease of control when appropriate
3Adaptability or versatility
If the agricultural vehicle and auxiliary vehicle are controlled as independent units, then each vehicle can be controlled individually, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single human-machine interface is designed to provide universal control capabilities for both the agricultural vehicle and the auxiliary vehicle. The interface can operate in different modes: controlling the agricultural vehicle autonomously, controlling the auxiliary vehicle manually, or coordinating both vehicles. This unified multi-functional interface reduces control system complexity compared to having separate independent control systems for each vehicle, while still enabling independent vehicle control when needed
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural machine having an auxiliary vehicle with a driver's workplace, an agricultural vehicle with a loading ramp for transporting the auxiliary vehicle and a control unit. The agricultural machine is operable in a combined configuration in which the auxiliary vehicle is placed on the loading ramp or in a separated configuration in which the auxiliary vehicle is removable from the loading ramp. The driver's workplace has a human machine interface for controlling a manual driving function of the agricultural vehicle and a manual driving function of the auxiliary vehicle. The control unit is configured to disable the manual driving function of the auxiliary vehicle if the combined configuration of the agricultural machine is present and to enable the manual driving function of the auxiliary vehicle if the separated configuration of the agricultural machine is present.