Work Vehicle Implement Depth Control via GNSS and Laser Reference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for achieving desired slopes in agricultural fields, such as traditional survey techniques and laser level systems, are tedious, expensive, and prone to errors due to dust interference, making it difficult to efficiently operate agricultural implements like box scrapers and tile plows across varying terrain.
Innovation Solution
A control system for work vehicles that includes a processor and memory to determine the attitude of a working surface relative to the field, generate evenly spaced swaths, and adjust the implement's depth to meet target altitudes, utilizing spatial locating devices like GNSS and IMUs to ensure precise operation without operator input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional survey techniques are used to achieve desired slope, then the field can be leveled with reference markers, but the process becomes tedious and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical survey techniques (physical markers, manual measurement) with an optical/electronic system using a laser level to generate a reference plane and GNSS receivers to detect positions. This substitution eliminates the need for manual survey setup while maintaining field leveling precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the desired field slope by generating a virtual reference plane through laser levels and capturing position data via GNSS receivers. This digital model allows the implement to automatically follow the desired slope without physical survey markers, reducing setup time while maintaining precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If laser level systems are used to generate reference plane, then field slope can be controlled, but the system becomes difficult to set up and is prone to errors from dust interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system between the laser level and the implement control. Instead of directly using the laser level for control, the system uses GNSS receivers to detect the laser plane position and translates this into implement depth control signals. This intermediary approach simplifies setup and reduces dust interference issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the direct optical measurement approach with an electronic detection system using GNSS receivers. The GNSS receivers detect positions relative to the laser-generated reference plane and convert this information into electrical signals for automatic implement control, eliminating the complexity of direct optical alignment.
3Ease of operation
If manual operation is used to adjust implement depth, then operator can adapt to terrain variations, but the process becomes inefficient and imprecise
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation where the implement automatically adjusts its own depth based on GNSS position data and the stored reference plane information. The control system continuously monitors position and automatically modifies implement depth without operator intervention, maintaining terrain adaptability while dramatically improving efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback control by monitoring the implement's position via GNSS receivers, comparing the current position to the desired reference plane, and automatically adjusting implement depth to maintain the correct slope. This closed-loop feedback system provides both terrain adaptability and high productivity.
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
Enables efficient and accurate creation of evenly spaced swaths with controlled altitudes, reducing operational costs and errors, and allowing for autonomous or semi-autonomous operation of agricultural implements across varying terrain, improving field leveling and water flow management.
Implementation Method 1
a spatial locating device (e.g., a GNSS receiver) determines a position of the work vehicle and the implement
Implementation Method 2
a spatial locating device (e.g., an inertial measurement unit (IMU)) determines an attitude of the work vehicle
Implementation Method 3
Laser level systems (e.g., utilizing a laser to generate a plane for reference)
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for a work vehicle of a work vehicle system is provided that includes at least one controller including a memory and a processor. The at least one controller is configured to determine an attitude of a working surface of an implement relative to a field. In addition, the at least one controller is configured to generate evenly spaced swaths of the field, each swath having a center line. Further, the at least one controller is configured to determine target altitudes for points along the center line for a respective swath. Even further, the at least one controller is configured to adjust a depth of the working surface of the implement relative to the field to meet the target altitudes at respective points while the work vehicle moves along the field.