Agricultural Field Lane Planning for Uniform Work on Angled Plots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for processing non-rectangular agricultural fields result in inefficient and uneven soil treatment due to fan-shaped processing, leading to increased wear and operational costs, as well as variations in tillage intensity and material application density.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the determination of parallel and equidistant working paths along the edges of a quadrangular field area, with a lane that adjusts its direction and working width to minimize steering operations and ensure uniform soil processing, using a steerable or controllable agricultural implement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fan-shaped processing with continuously changing working width is used to process non-rectangular fields, then the implement can utilize the entire length of its pass for cultivation avoiding empty passes, but the grain size of tilled soil varies considerably from coarse to fine and material application density changes
Solution Approach 1:
The field is divided into multiple rectangular sub-areas, each processed with straight parallel tracks. This segmentation allows uniform processing within each rectangle while collectively covering the entire non-rectangular field, avoiding the uneven cultivation caused by continuous fan-shaped processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The lane planning system dynamically adjusts the track orientation and working width based on the specific geometry of each rectangular sub-area. By adapting the processing pattern to each sub-area's dimensions and orientation, the system maintains uniform soil cultivation while efficiently covering the entire field.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fan-shaped working pattern with continuously changing working width is used, then the implement can process non-rectangular fields, but a large number of switching and steering operations are required leading to increased wear and tear
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the non-rectangular field into rectangular sub-areas and processing each with simple straight parallel tracks, the system reduces the complexity of lane planning. This segmentation minimizes the number of steering operations compared to continuous fan-shaped processing, thereby reducing wear and tear on the implement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes discrete parameters such as track orientation and working width at defined boundaries between rectangular sub-areas, rather than continuously varying the working width. This discrete parameter change approach reduces the frequency of steering operations and implement adjustments.
3Productivity
If parallel lane planning with rotated lane orientation is used, then lane orientation can be optimized, but omissions or overlaps may occur with curved outer contours
Solution Approach 1:
The field is segmented into rectangular sub-areas where parallel lane planning with optimized orientation can be applied without risk of omissions or overlaps. This segmentation ensures complete and uniform coverage by avoiding the problems associated with curved contours in traditional parallel lane planning.
Solution Approach 2:
Each rectangular sub-area is processed with lane orientation optimized for its specific dimensions and orientation. This local optimization ensures maximum productivity within each sub-area while the rectangular geometry guarantees complete coverage without omissions or overlaps, even when outer field contours are curved.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application relates to a method for planning working of an at least quadrilateral area (10) of an agricultural field by means of a steerable or manoeuvrable agricultural implement, wherein the area (10) has edge portions (12, 14, 16, 18) between its corners (11, 13, 15, 17) and in this case a first edge portion (12) and a second edge portion (14) opposite the first edge portion (12), and wherein the second edge portion (14) extends at an angle to the first edge portion (12). In this case, a plurality of first working paths (20) extending alongside one another and a plurality of second working paths (22) extending alongside one another are determined, a rut (24), which extends at least partially along the first working paths (20) and the second working paths (22) and along which the agricultural implement is intended to be moved over the area (10), is determined, and a plurality of turn-in points (26) along the rut (24), at which the implement is turned from a direction along one of the first working paths (20) into a direction along one of the second working paths (22), are determined, such that the rut (24) extends less along the first working paths (20) and more along the second working paths (22) with increasing distance (30) from the first edge portion (12).