Multi-Plane Laser Scanner for Agricultural Machine Surroundings Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural work machines face limitations in surroundings detection, including sluggish reaction times, imprecise control, and the need for multiple sensors to balance range and resolution, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A surroundings detection device with multiple scanning planes using electromagnetic waves, such as laser beams, that scans the environment in sections, allowing for precise detection of close and long-range obstacles and crop features, reducing the number of necessary sensors and enhancing control responsiveness and precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single scanning plane laser sensor is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and control responsiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the scanning function into multiple independent scanning planes (first scanning plane, second scanning plane, etc.) within a single sensor system. Each scanning plane operates independently to detect different aspects of the surrounding environment, allowing the system to maintain low device complexity while achieving high measurement precision through segmented detection coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-plane detection approach to a multi-plane detection approach, adding the dimension of multiple scanning planes. This dimensional expansion allows the sensor to simultaneously capture information from different angular perspectives, thereby improving measurement precision without increasing the number of physical sensors.
2Loss of time
If the detection range is extended for early obstacle warning, then the lead time is improved, but the resolution and blind spot reduction at close range deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection space into multiple scanning planes that cover different distance ranges. At least one scanning plane is specifically configured for long-range detection to provide early obstacle warning, while other scanning planes are configured for close-range high-resolution detection. This segmentation allows the system to optimize each plane for its specific range without compromising overall performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by configuring different scanning planes with different detection characteristics optimized for their specific operational ranges. Long-range scanning planes use parameters optimized for distance and early warning, while close-range scanning planes use parameters optimized for resolution and detail, allowing each local region of detection to have the quality needed for its purpose.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to balance range and resolution, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple scanning functions into a single sensor system by implementing multiple scanning planes within one sensor. This consolidation allows the system to achieve the detection precision of multiple sensors while maintaining the simplicity and lower cost of a single sensor unit, as all scanning planes share the same hardware infrastructure and data processing pipeline.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the single sensor system universal by enabling it to perform multiple detection functions simultaneously through its multiple scanning planes. The sensor can detect obstacles at long range, provide high-resolution close-range detection, and cover various angular fields of view all through one sensor, eliminating the need for multiple specialized sensors.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the detection range area is continuously adjusted to adapt to surroundings, then the adaptability is improved, but the control responsiveness and data completeness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having multiple scanning planes continuously scan the environment in advance, maintaining persistent detection coverage. This allows the system to have ready access to surrounding environment data at all times, enabling rapid control responses without needing to adjust detection ranges dynamically during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining continuous scanning operations across all scanning planes simultaneously. Rather than dynamically adjusting detection ranges that would interrupt or delay detection, the system continuously scans in all directions, ensuring that environmental data is always available for immediate control decisions.
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
This solution enables reliable detection of obstacles and crop edges, reduces sensor costs, increases lead times, and improves the precision of automatic control, allowing for efficient operation and reduced risk of damage to the machine.
Implementation Method 1
The surroundings detection device generates surroundings detection signals, which can be processed in a control and regulating device assigned to the agricultural work machine. The scanner transmits the surroundings detection signals, receives the reflected surroundings detection signals, and generates a results signal.
Implementation Method 2
The control and regulating device calculates a distance and/or a distribution density from the time of flight for the reflected surroundings detection signal.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural work machine is provided comprising a surroundings detection device for detecting a surroundings in sections, and one or more controllable working elements, wherein the surroundings detection device generates surroundings detection signals, which can be processed in a control and regulating device assigned to the agricultural work machine, wherein the surroundings detection device is designed as a scanner, which scans the surroundings in scanning planes, and wherein each scanning plane is assigned to the control of working elements.