Obstacle Detection System for Work Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing obstacle detection systems in autonomous work vehicles often alert operators or automatically instruct avoidance of obstacles that do not pose a threat, reducing operational efficiency by diverting resources from actual hazards.
Innovation Solution
An obstacle detection system using a controller with a processor and memory to differentiate between obstacles and movable objects coupled to the vehicle, such as agricultural implements, by determining if the obstacle's position corresponds to the movable object's position, and only outputting a detection signal and avoidance instructions when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the obstacle detection system alerts the operator or automatically instructs avoidance of all detected obstacles, then the safety of the work vehicle is improved, but the operational efficiency deteriorates due to unnecessary alerts and avoidance maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary classification mechanism that distinguishes between actual obstacles and false obstacles (movable objects coupled to the vehicle). The controller acts as a mediator that processes sensor data, compares detected objects against known vehicle components, and selectively triggers alerts or avoidance maneuvers only for genuine obstacles, thereby maintaining safety while eliminating unnecessary operational disruptions
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring detected obstacles, comparing their characteristics and positions against expected vehicle components, and adjusting the alert/avoidance behavior accordingly. When a detected object matches a known vehicle component, the system suppresses false alerts; when it identifies a genuine obstacle, the system triggers appropriate safety responses
2Reliability
If the obstacle detection system automatically instructs the movement control system to avoid all detected obstacles, then the protection of the work vehicle is improved, but the productivity deteriorates due to unnecessary avoidance maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves as an intermediary between the obstacle detection system and the movement control system. It filters detected obstacles by comparing sensor data against known vehicle components, and only transmits avoidance instructions to the movement control system when genuine obstacles are identified, preventing unnecessary maneuvers while maintaining vehicle protection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the false obstacle detection component from the overall obstacle detection system by separately identifying and excluding movable objects coupled to the vehicle. This extraction allows the system to focus automated avoidance maneuvers only on genuine external obstacles, improving productivity by eliminating unnecessary maneuvers while maintaining protection through selective response
Data Source
AI summary
An obstacle detection system for a work vehicle includes a controller having a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to receive a first signal indicative of a position of an obstacle relative to the work vehicle, to determine whether the position of the obstacle corresponds to a position of a movable object coupled to the work vehicle, and to output a second signal indicative of detection of the obstacle in response to determining that the position of the obstacle does not correspond to the position of the movable object.