Agricultural Material Supply Timing for Just-in-Time Field Replenishment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional material replenishment methods for agricultural machines require pre-transporting sufficient materials to predetermined replenishment positions, leading to potential obstruction and material degradation due to prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
Innovation Solution
A material supply system that uses a computer to determine the optimal transport start timing for a transport vehicle based on the consumption status of agricultural materials by agricultural machines, the position of storage and delivery locations, and self-driving capabilities to efficiently deliver materials directly to the machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If materials are pre-transported to replenishment positions in advance, then material replenishment can be performed efficiently, but materials are left exposed to direct sunlight for long periods causing quality degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations and predictions of material consumption to determine optimal transport timing before actual material depletion occurs. The computer predicts when the agricultural machine will need material replenishment based on consumption rate calculations, allowing the transport vehicle to arrive just in time rather than leaving materials exposed at replenishment positions for extended periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors material consumption by the agricultural machine and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust transport timing. The computer calculates consumption rates based on actual usage data and adjusts the transport vehicle's departure timing accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that responds to real-time conditions rather than relying on fixed schedules.
2Ease of operation
If materials are pre-positioned at replenishment locations, then replenishment operations are simplified, but passage obstruction occurs and material quality degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static pre-positioning approach to a dynamic just-in-time delivery system. The transport vehicle's arrival time is dynamically adjusted based on real-time consumption monitoring and prediction algorithms, allowing materials to be delivered precisely when needed without prolonged exposure or obstruction issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The agricultural machine effectively orders its own material replenishment through the consumption monitoring system. The computer detects when material levels are declining and automatically triggers the transport vehicle's departure, eliminating the need for manual monitoring and pre-positioning decisions.
Data Source
AI summary
A material supply system that causes a transport vehicle to supply an agricultural material for consumption by an agricultural machine in agricultural work includes a computer configured or programmed to determine a transport start timing for the transport vehicle toward a delivery location of the agricultural material, based on a consumption status of the agricultural material in an agricultural task by the agricultural machine in a field, a position of a storage location of the agricultural material, and a position of the delivery location of the agricultural material.