Agricultural Implement Edge Projection for Precise Field Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of wide agricultural implements face challenges in determining the outer edge and working zone due to parallax and the implement's position behind them, leading to difficulty in maneuvering around obstacles and reducing field capacity by overlapping previous passes.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing cameras and display units with associated software to project indicia on a user interface, indicating the outer edge and working zone edges, allowing operators to visualize the implement's edges and working zone, and dynamically adjust based on steering commands and camera orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the implement width is increased to expand working capacity, then field coverage is improved, but the operator's ability to accurately determine the outer edge and working zone is degraded due to parallax and the implement being behind the operator
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a visual copy of the implement's outer edge and working zone boundaries through camera imaging and displays them on a screen. The display unit shows an image of the implement with superimposed indicators (such as line 152) that represent the outer edge, allowing the operator to see a replicated view of the implement's position and boundaries without physically being at the edge.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera and display system acts as an intermediary between the operator and the implement edges. Instead of directly observing the edges, the operator views them through the camera's image feed, which is processed to include reference lines and indicators that mediate the perception of edge location and working zone boundaries.
2Device complexity
If the operator manually guides the implement without assistance, then system complexity is minimized, but maneuvering precision around obstacles and along fence lines is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses camera images to create a visual replica of the implement's position and surroundings, displayed on a screen with superimposed reference lines. This copied visual information provides precise maneuvering guidance while keeping the physical system relatively simple, avoiding complex mechanical or electronic steering aids.
3Measurement precision
If the operator overlaps previous passes to ensure complete coverage, then measurement precision of working zone edges is improved, but field capacity is reduced due to decreased effective working width
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time visual feedback to the operator by displaying the implement's current position, outer edge location, and working zone boundaries on a screen. This feedback loop allows the operator to accurately determine when to switch directions without overlapping, as the display clearly shows the exact edge positions and working zone limits.
Solution Approach 2:
By displaying a visual copy of the working zone boundaries and outer edges, the operator can see exactly where the implement has worked and where the next pass should begin, eliminating the need for conservative overlapping while ensuring complete coverage.
4Measurement precision
If auto-guidance systems with GPS technology are implemented to improve maneuvering accuracy, then positioning precision is improved, but system cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses relatively simple camera imaging to create visual copies of the implement's position and surroundings, displayed with superimposed reference lines. This approach achieves positioning accuracy comparable to expensive GPS systems but with much lower cost and complexity, as it relies on standard camera and display technology rather than satellite navigation infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for displaying images of certain surroundings of an agricultural implement, for example one including a frame extending between opposing distal ends of a length transverse to a working direction of the agricultural implement. Individual image regions of the surroundings of the agricultural implement are captured using cameras arranged on the agricultural implement and directed toward a working area in the working direction, wherein a corresponding display is generated on a user interface. One or more traveling conditions (e.g., an edge of the working area and/or an edge of the frame, respectively corresponding to a first end and/or second end of the frame) may be automatically projected in the working direction, wherein respective indicia corresponding to the projected traveling conditions are superimposed on the generated display. The indicia may optionally be modified dynamically based on determined changes in a projected course of the working direction.