Implement Orientation Monitoring for Accurate Field Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural systems face reduced performance due to the agricultural implement being angled undesirably relative to the work vehicle, caused by uneven soil and field contours, leading to inefficient farming operations.

Innovation Solution

A position monitoring system that includes a remote sensor and a reference element to determine the orientation of the agricultural implement relative to the work vehicle, with a controller adjusting the system's operation to maintain a desired orientation, using sensors like cameras or LIDAR to monitor the reference element and output control signals to adjust the implement's position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the agricultural implement is towed behind the work vehicle without orientation monitoring, then the system structure remains simple, but the implement may become angled at undesirable orientation relative to the work vehicle, reducing farming performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefarming performanceVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the orientation of the agricultural implement relative to the work vehicle using sensors and provides feedback to the controller. The controller then adjusts the implement orientation based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains optimal farming performance while managing complexity through automated adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical orientation adjustment with an automated system using sensors (optical, inertial, GPS), electronic controllers, and hydraulic actuators. This substitution of mechanical manual control with electronic sensing and actuation systems improves productivity while the automation manages the complexity burden.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If manual monitoring and adjustment of implement orientation is used, then the system remains simple, but it is difficult to determine how the agricultural implement is oriented relative to the work vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorientation measurement accuracyVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces intermediate sensing components (reference elements, optical sensors, inertial measurement units, GPS receivers) that mediate between the physical implement orientation and the electronic controller. These intermediaries enable precise non-contact measurement of orientation, achieving high measurement precision while distributing system complexity across multiple specialized subsystems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates optical or electronic copies of the implement's physical orientation state through sensors and reference elements. Instead of directly measuring complex spatial relationships, the system uses simplified reference markers and sensor readings that replicate orientation information, enabling precise measurement without complex direct sensing of the entire implement geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If the agricultural implement orientation is not controlled, then the system operation remains simple, but incomplete or inefficient coverage of the field occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield coverage efficiencyVSAvoidsystem operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables the agricultural implement to self-adjust its orientation automatically. The sensors detect orientation deviations, the controller processes this information, and the actuators automatically correct the implement position without requiring continuous manual intervention. This self-service capability maintains ease of operation while ensuring complete and efficient field coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The closed-loop feedback system continuously monitors implement orientation and automatically adjusts it to maintain optimal positioning for complete field coverage. The feedback mechanism ensures that the implement remains properly oriented throughout field operations, achieving efficient coverage while the automation handles the operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

The system ensures efficient farming operations by maintaining the optimal orientation of the agricultural implement, preventing incomplete or inefficient coverage of the field and enhancing overall system performance.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11770992B2Position monitoring for agricultural system

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 BLUE LEAF I P INC

AI summary

A position monitoring system for an agricultural system includes a controller having a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to receive a remote sensor signal from a remote sensor indicative of a state of a reference element on one of a work vehicle or an agricultural implement coupled to the work vehicle, determine an orientation of the agricultural implement relative to the work vehicle based at least in part on the remote sensor signal, and output a control signal to control operation of the agricultural system based at least in part on the orientation of the agricultural implement relative to the work vehicle.