Predictive Speed Mapping for Harvester Feed Rate Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural harvester performance is affected by various field conditions such as biomass, crop state, topography, soil properties, and seeding characteristics, leading to challenges in maintaining a consistent feed rate and operational efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The use of in-situ sensors and predictive mapping technology to generate a predictive speed map that adjusts the harvester's speed based on real-time and historical data, allowing for automated control and improved performance across different field conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the harvester operates at constant speed through the field, then the operational simplicity is maintained, but the feed rate consistency deteriorates when encountering varying field conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoidfeed rate consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the harvester's operating speed based on real-time field conditions detected by sensors. The control system modifies speed parameters continuously as the machine moves through areas with varying biomass, crop state, topography, or soil properties, thereby maintaining consistent feed rate while adapting to changing environmental factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback control by continuously monitoring field conditions through in-situ sensors and using this information to adjust the harvester's speed. The control system receives data about current field conditions, processes this information, and generates appropriate speed adjustment commands to maintain optimal feed rate consistency throughout the harvesting operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the operator manually adjusts harvester control when encountering field conditions, then the adaptability to local conditions is improved, but the productivity deteriorates due to frequent interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to field conditionsVSAvoidharvesting efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The harvester system performs self-adjustment of operating parameters automatically. The control system monitors field conditions through integrated sensors and autonomously modifies speed and other operational parameters without requiring operator intervention. This enables the machine to adapt to varying field conditions continuously while maintaining uninterrupted harvesting operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical control with an automated electronic control system. Sensors detect field conditions and the control system processes this information to automatically adjust operational parameters, substituting the operator's manual judgment and physical adjustments with an automated decision-making system that maintains continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If automated control systems are implemented to maintain constant feed rate, then the feed rate consistency is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeed rate consistencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is designed to perform multiple functions using a single integrated platform. It simultaneously monitors various field conditions (biomass, crop state, topography, soil properties), processes sensor data, generates control commands, and adjusts multiple operational parameters. This multi-functional approach achieves feed rate consistency while avoiding the need for separate specialized systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs an intermediary control system that acts as a mediator between field conditions and harvester operations. The control system receives raw sensor data about field conditions, processes this information through algorithms, and translates it into appropriate operational adjustments. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing the decision-making function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11889787B2Predictive speed map generation and control system

Publication Date: 2024.02.06 DEERE & CO

AI summary

One or more information maps are obtained by an agricultural work machine. The one or more information maps map one or more agricultural characteristic values at different geographic locations of a field. An in-situ sensor on the agricultural work machine senses an agricultural characteristic as the agricultural work machine moves through the field. A predictive map generator generates a predictive map that predicts a predictive agricultural characteristic at different locations in the field based on a relationship between the values in the one or more information maps and the agricultural characteristic sensed by the in-situ sensor. The predictive map can be output and used in automated machine control.