Planter Path Planning With Exclusion Zones for Overlap Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing planting technologies face challenges in efficiently planning paths to avoid interference between subsequent planting operations, leading to reduced crop yields and waste of crop inputs due to overlap with previous planting paths, especially in buffer zones.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a path planning module to establish a sequence of path segments for a planter, estimate potential interference between path segments, and determine exclusion zones to prevent planting in areas where interference is likely, using sensors and electronic data processing to execute a path plan and exclusion zones based on user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the implement follows a sequence of path segments to cover the field, then planting coverage is improved, but path interference between segments reduces crop yields and wastes seeds
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary path planning that identifies and marks exclusion zones before planting operations begin. By pre-calculating areas where path interference will occur and prohibiting planting in those zones beforehand, the system prevents seed waste while maintaining efficient field coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and isolates problematic path interference zones from the planting area by creating exclusion zones. These excluded areas are removed from the planting sequence, allowing the implement to follow efficient paths without causing interference to previously planted seeds.
2Loss of substance
If buffer zones are left unplanted to reduce path interference, then seed waste is reduced, but yield is penalized due to unplanted areas
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of pre-establishing fixed buffer zones, the system performs preliminary path analysis to identify specific exclusion zones only where path interference will occur. This allows planting in areas that would traditionally be buffer zones, eliminating yield penalties while still preventing seed waste through precise exclusion zone management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies exclusion zones locally only where path interference problems occur, rather than creating universal buffer zones across the entire field. This localized approach maintains planting in most areas, maximizing yield while preventing seed waste in specific problematic zones.
3Speed
If traditional path planning is used without interference estimation, then planting speed is maintained, but crop yields are reduced due to path interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary path planning that includes interference estimation and exclusion zone determination before planting begins. This pre-planning allows the implement to maintain high planting speed by following pre-calculated optimal paths that avoid interference zones, thereby maintaining both speed and yield.
4Reliability
If exclusion zones are determined and planting is prohibited in those areas, then path interference is prevented, but planting area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines exclusion zones locally only where path interference will occur, rather than applying blanket exclusions. This minimizes the total area removed from planting while preventing path interference in specific problematic zones, thereby maintaining maximum planting area.
Solution Approach 2:
By performing preliminary path planning to identify exclusion zones before planting, the system optimizes the placement and size of excluded areas. This ensures that exclusion zones are minimized to only what is necessary for preventing interference, maximizing the remaining planting area.
Data Source
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AI summary
A path planning module or electronic data processor is configured to establish a path plan for a planter to cover a first area of the field at least once with a sequence of path segments that are generally parallel to each other and spaced apart. A path interference estimator or the electronic data processor is configured to estimate potential interference between two or more path segments with respect to a first path segment and a second path segment. An exclusion zone module or the electronic data processor is configured to determine an exclusion zone for the planter to prohibit planting of one or more rows of seeds or seedlings within the exclusion zone based on the estimated potential interference. The electronic data processor is configured to activate or execute the path plan and determined exclusion zone in accordance with the established path plan and determined exclusion zone.