Autonomous Farm Vehicle Coupling Using GPS-Based Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current farm vehicle technologies require manual effort to combine with work machines, increasing labor input and reducing efficiency in agricultural tasks.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for automatically combining a farm vehicle with a work machine, involving a processor-controlled alignment and coupling process using coupling units, allowing for autonomous operation and reduced manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual combination method is used, then operation simplicity is maintained, but labor input increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombination efficiencyVSAvoidmanual operation requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The farm vehicle automatically determines its own position relative to the work machine using GPS receivers and processors, then autonomously navigates to align and couple with the work machine without requiring manual operation, thereby increasing combination efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical combination operations with an automated system using GPS receivers, processors, and control mechanisms that automatically navigate and couple the farm vehicle to the work machine, eliminating the need for manual labor while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If automated combination system is implemented, then labor input is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous operation capabilityVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The farm vehicle integrates multiple functions including GPS reception, position determination, autonomous navigation, and coupling control into a single multi-functional system, allowing the same vehicle to perform both traditional farming operations and automated combination tasks, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining autonomous operation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses GPS satellites and receivers as intermediary components to enable automatic position determination and navigation, allowing the farm vehicle to locate and couple with the work machine automatically without requiring complex direct sensing or communication systems between the vehicle and machine

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11877526B2Method of automatically combining farm vehicle and work machine and farm vehicle

Publication Date: 2024.01.23 GINT CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a method of automatically combining a farm vehicle with a work machine including confirming a current position of the work machine, moving a farm vehicle into a range having a predetermined radius around the current position, and controlling the farm vehicle, on the basis of a current position and direction of a first coupling unit included in the work machine, so that the first coupling unit and a second coupling unit included in the farm vehicle are coupled to each other.