Autonomous Grain Cart Routing and Unloading in Harvest Fields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current grain cart systems lack autonomous capabilities for efficient unloading and relocation, leading to increased harvesting time and productivity losses due to manual operation and limited mobility in challenging field conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a cart equipped with sensors, vehicle components, and computers that enable autonomous operation, including obstacle detection, route navigation, and automated unloading, allowing the cart to move between unloading locations and adjust its auger assembly for efficient grain discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual operation is used for cart unloading and relocation, then system complexity is reduced, but harvesting time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cart system performs unloading and relocation operations autonomously without requiring manual intervention. The control system automatically activates the auger assembly for unloading, navigates to different locations, and manages the relocation process, allowing the system to serve itself and dramatically improving harvesting productivity
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations are replaced with an automated control system that uses sensors, processors, and automated actuators. The control system substitutes human-operated mechanical controls with electronic and automated mechanical systems, reducing the need for manual labor while increasing productivity
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cart remains stationary at one unloading location, then unloading efficiency is maximized, but the system cannot adapt to full containers or changing field conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The cart system transitions from a static unloading position to a dynamic system that can automatically relocate. The control system enables the cart to move between different unloading locations based on container status and field conditions, making the system adaptable while minimizing relocation time through automated navigation
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect container full status and field conditions, providing feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the control system automatically determines when to relocate and navigates to appropriate unloading locations, enabling adaptability while optimizing relocation timing to minimize time loss
3Extent of automation
If automated sensors and control systems are added to the cart, then autonomous operation and productivity improve, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed to perform multiple functions including obstacle detection, route navigation, unloading control, and relocation management. By creating a universal control system that handles various tasks through integrated sensors and actuators, the patent achieves high automation while managing complexity through functional consolidation
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system is divided into functional modules including sensors, control processors, auger assembly control, and navigation systems. This segmentation allows each component to be independently developed and tested, making the overall complex system more manageable while achieving autonomous operation capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for automated cart operation. The automated cart operation may include determining whether a container is full at a first unloading location and, if so, moving the cart from the first unloading location to a second unloading location. The automated cart operation may include moving the cart to a container, determining whether the cart is near the container, and, if the cart is determined to be near the container, stopping the cart. The automated cart operation may include determining a route from a current location to the location of a farm implement that avoids one or more permanent obstacles and areas of the field that have not been harvested and moving the cart to the farm implement on the determined route.