Crop-Row Implement Control Using Vertical Point Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural vehicle systems lack the precision to adapt implement operations, such as spraying or tilling, to the varying density of crops along a row, leading to inefficient use of resources like power and spraying liquid.
Innovation Solution
The method employs a point cloud sensor to scan a crop row, generating a point cloud that defines crop row volumes. By calculating the vertical point density distribution within these volumes, the implement is controlled to optimize resource usage based on local crop density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a one-size-fits-all approach is used for implement operations, then the system is simple to operate, but resource efficiency decreases due to inability to adapt to local crop density variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the crop row into multiple crop row volumes and determines vertical point density distribution for each volume, enabling local adaptability of implement operations to match local crop density variations, thus optimizing resource efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control
2Reliability
If traditional GPS-based implement control is used, then the system is reliable for basic positioning, but measurement precision is insufficient for detecting local crop density variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges GPS-based positioning with point cloud sensor data to create a hybrid control system that maintains the reliability of GPS for basic positioning while adding the precision of point cloud analysis for detecting local crop density variations, achieving both reliability and measurement precision
3Ease of operation
If uniform spraying is applied across the entire crop row, then the spraying system is simple to control, but substance efficiency decreases due to wasted spraying liquid on areas with low crop density
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies spraying liquid selectively based on the vertical point density distribution of each crop row volume, ensuring that areas with high crop density receive more spraying liquid while areas with low density receive less, thereby optimizing substance efficiency while maintaining automated control simplicity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for precise control of agricultural implements, optimizing the use of power and spraying liquid by adapting to the local density of crops, thereby improving efficiency and reducing waste.
Implementation Method 1
a point cloud sensor to scan a portion of the crop row and to generate a point cloud
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is provided for controlling an implement (50) of an agricultural vehicle (10) driving over a path (P) along a crop row (LR, RR). The method comprises using a point cloud sensor (20) to scan a portion of the crop row (LR, RR) and to generate a point cloud. A plurality of crop row volumes (91-98) is determined, arranged along the scanned portion of the crop row (LR, RR). For each of the crop row volumes (91-98), a vertical point density distribution is determined by calculating which points of the point cloud fall within said crop row volume (91-98). The implement (50) is controlled based on the vertical point density distribution of each of the crop row volumes (91-98).