Multi-lobed Wheel Perpendicular Traversal for Weed Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current agricultural technologies face challenges in effectively and economically removing in-row weeds without damaging crop plants, particularly in organic farming where chemical herbicides are restricted, and existing mechanical systems are limited by their parallel travel mechanism which restricts speed and accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A platform with multi-lobed wheels designed to traverse agricultural fields perpendicularly to crop rows, enabling accurate weed detection and mechanical removal without damaging plants, by providing a larger gap for viewing and longer cycle time for weed removal actions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional mechanical cultivators are used to remove in-row weeds, then weed control effectiveness is improved, but crop plant damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweed control effectivenessVSAvoidcrop plant damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by having the platform travel perpendicular to crop rows instead of parallel. This inversion allows the cultivation tools to engage weeds between rows without contacting the crop plants, thereby maintaining weed control effectiveness while eliminating crop damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational dimension from parallel travel (one-dimensional along the row) to perpendicular travel (introducing a second dimension across the rows). This dimensional change enables the system to access and cultivate in-row weeds from a different spatial perspective, avoiding contact with the crops while still effectively removing weeds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If conventional parallel travel mechanism is used, then equipment simplicity is maintained, but operational speed and accuracy are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment simplicityVSAvoidoperational speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic wheel assemblies that can adjust their position and orientation as the platform moves perpendicular to the rows. The wheels are configured to dynamically navigate between rows while maintaining proper alignment, enabling faster operation without compromising simplicity or accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters by moving the platform perpendicular to the rows rather than parallel. This parameter change increases the speed at which the platform can traverse the field while maintaining accuracy through the specially designed wheel assemblies that adapt to the perpendicular motion pattern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of substance

If mechanical cultivation methods are used in organic farming, then chemical herbicide use is eliminated, but operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechemical herbicide useVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the field into distinct row zones and uses individually controllable wheel assemblies that can be independently positioned and operated. This segmentation allows the system to selectively cultivate only the weed zones between rows while leaving crop zones undisturbed, simplifying the operational complexity despite eliminating chemical herbicides.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the complex chemical herbicide application system with a mechanically simpler perpendicular-travel cultivation system. By eliminating the need for chemical storage, dosing, and application mechanisms, the overall operational complexity is reduced even though mechanical cultivation tools are used instead of chemicals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Illumination intensity

If platform travels parallel to crop rows, then crop visibility is maintained, but weed removal accuracy is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrop visibilityVSAvoidweed removal accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the travel direction from parallel to perpendicular relative to the crop rows. This inversion provides an enhanced side-view perspective that improves the machine vision system's ability to accurately distinguish and target weeds between rows, thereby improving weed removal accuracy while maintaining adequate crop visibility through the perpendicular viewing angle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11673421B2Robotic platform and method for operating perpendicular to crop rows on agricultural fields

Publication Date: 2023.06.13 ROWBOT SYSTEMS LLC

AI summary

A multi-lobed wheel adapted to be mounted to an agricultural platform for traversal of an agricultural field generally traverse to adjacent rows of planted crops without crushing the individual plants. The multi-lobed wheel having a wheel hub including a central axis on which the multi-lobed wheel is configured to rotate and a plurality of spaced apart lobes defining an outer perimeter configured to make ground engaging contact with the agricultural field, the outer perimeter including structure presenting a plurality of gaps between the plurality of spaced apart lobes, the gaps shaped and sized to provide sufficient clearance for individual plants within a planted crop row so as to enable the multi-lobed wheel to pass over a planted crop row without crushing the individual plants therein.