Image-Based Ridge Formation Evaluation for Agricultural Vehicles

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural traveling vehicles lack the capability to determine formation abnormalities in formed objects on agricultural fields, such as ridges, which can affect the quality of field formation.

Innovation Solution

An evaluation system and method using an arithmetic processor to analyze images of formed objects, detect deviations from normal shapes, and provide notifications or adjust operations based on formation abnormalities, incorporating sensors and controllers for manual or automatic operation adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If agricultural traveling vehicle is configured to identify direction of formed object, then traveling control capability is improved, but capability to determine formation abnormality deteriorates (completely absent)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraveling control capabilityVSAvoidformation abnormality determination capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The evaluation system integrates multiple functions into a single system: it processes images to detect formation abnormalities, calculates deviation degrees, generates evaluation results, and provides notifications. This multi-functional integration resolves the contradiction by adding abnormality determination capability without requiring separate dedicated systems, thus maintaining operational simplicity while enhancing measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The arithmetic processor acts as an intermediary between the image capture device and the control system. It receives images, performs abnormality detection through deviation calculation, and outputs evaluation results that can trigger notifications or control adjustments. This intermediary processing layer enables formation abnormality determination while keeping the overall system architecture simple and integrated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If abnormality detection processing is added to calculate degree of deviation, then formation abnormality determination capability is improved, but device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformation abnormality determination capabilityVSAvoidprocessing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex mechanical inspection methods with image-based electronic processing. Instead of physical measurement devices or manual inspection, the system uses image capture and arithmetic processing to detect formation abnormalities. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while enhancing measurement precision through digital image analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a digital copy (image) of the formed object and performs all analysis on this copy rather than requiring direct physical measurement. The arithmetic processor works with image data to calculate deviation degrees, enabling precise abnormality detection without adding physical measurement complexity to the actual field equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If notification system is added for manual operation, then quality control capability is improved, but device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality control capabilityVSAvoidsystem component count
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The notification system provides feedback to the operator when formation abnormalities are detected. The arithmetic processor continuously evaluates formed objects and triggers notifications when deviation degrees exceed thresholds. This feedback mechanism improves quality control by enabling timely operator intervention without requiring complex automated control systems, thus maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Reliability

If automatic operation control is modified based on formation abnormality, then quality control capability is improved, but device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality control capabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system uses feedback from the evaluation results to automatically adjust operations. When formation abnormalities are detected, the controller modifies control content to correct the issue. This feedback-based automatic control improves quality reliability while keeping the control logic relatively simple, as it only requires threshold-based decision making rather than complex multi-variable control algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4677982A1Evaluation system and evaluation method
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP4677982A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4677982A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4677982A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An evaluation system (S) includes an arithmetic processor (20c) configured or programmed to perform determination about a formation abnormality in formation of a formed object formed by a working device (2) on an agricultural field based on an image of the formed object.