Header Float Control Using Field Maps and Geotagged Impact Events
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial work machines, such as windrowers, face challenges in optimizing the position and operation of their work implements due to varying terrain and obstacles, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage, as existing systems lack adaptive control mechanisms that can dynamically adjust based on real-time spatial information and geotagged impact events.
Innovation Solution
A work vehicle system that includes a controller communicating with a communication module, loading field maps with spatial information, and using actuators to adjust the work implement's position based on predetermined values and geotagged locations, creating adjustment events to optimize operations and prevent damage by partitioning passes and attributing impact events to adjust the actuator settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the work implement position is manually controlled without adaptive mechanisms, then the system complexity is low, but the operational efficiency and performance optimization are insufficient due to varying terrain and obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by creating adjustment events based on geotagged impact events and spatial information before the work machine physically reaches those locations. The controller proactively determines actuator adjustments in advance, partitioning the field map into passes and attributing impact events to specific passes, so that the work implement is already positioned optimally when needed, improving operational efficiency without requiring complex real-time reaction mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using geotagged impact events and spatial information from field maps to continuously refine actuator control decisions. The controller monitors work machine location, compares it against stored spatial information, and adjusts actuator commands based on feedback from previous impact events and performance data, enabling adaptive optimization while maintaining manageable system complexity through software-based control loops
2Productivity
If the actuator adjusts the work implement position frequently to optimize performance across varying terrain, then the operational performance is improved, but the wear and damage to the actuator and work implement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary cushioning by creating adjustment events in advance based on geotagged impact events stored in the field map. Before the work machine reaches locations with known obstacles or terrain variations, the controller proactively adjusts actuator positions to optimal settings, reducing the need for frequent reactive adjustments that cause wear. The system partitions spatial information into passes and attributes impact events to specific passes, enabling proactive optimization while minimizing mechanical stress
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements beforehand cushioning by using stored geotagged impact events to predict upcoming terrain challenges and pre-adjust work implement positions. The controller maintains a database of impact events with spatial coordinates and creates adjustment events that cushion the work implement against future impacts by positioning it optimally in advance, reducing wear and damage from sudden adjustments or impacts while maintaining operational performance
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system uses detailed spatial information and geotagged impact events to dynamically adjust actuator settings, then the adaptability to different terrains is improved, but the data processing complexity and time required for adjustments increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies segmentation by partitioning the field map spatial information into discrete passes and attributing specific impact events to each pass. The controller divides the large dataset of geotagged locations into manageable segments corresponding to individual passes, processing and storing adjustment events in an organized, hierarchical structure that reduces data processing complexity while maintaining comprehensive adaptability to varying terrains across the entire field
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by automatically processing and attributing geotagged impact events to appropriate passes without requiring manual intervention. The controller autonomously partitions spatial information, creates adjustment events, and updates the field map database based on stored impact event data, reducing the operational burden and data processing complexity while maintaining high adaptability to different terrain conditions through automated decision-making
Data Source
AI summary
A work vehicle includes a chassis, and a work implement movably coupled to the chassis, the work implement configured to perform a field-engaging function. The work vehicle also includes an actuator coupled to the work implement and configured to adjust a position of the work implement relative to a ground surface, and a controller in communication with a communication module. The controller is configured to monitor a location of the work machine via the communication module, and load a field map that identifies spatial information about a corresponding field, and a characteristic of the actuator associated with the spatial information. The controller is further configured to partition the spatial information into at least one pass traversable by the work machine. The controller is also configured to create an adjustment event to adjust the actuator in response to the location of the work machine moving within the at least one pass.