Single-Track Row Crop Entry Planning With Sensor-Guided Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern agricultural working machines face high operator workload when processing row crops due to inaccuracies in GPS positioning and the need for frequent manual intervention to maintain the correct lane, especially in row crops where deviations occur.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural working machine equipped with a lane planning unit and a sensor unit that analyzes the actual arrangement of the row crop using electro-optical sensors, taking into account machine-specific parameters like working width and turning radius, to determine an optimal entry position for automatic control and lane planning, reducing operator workload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If GPS-based positioning systems are used for automatic steering, then automation is improved, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to fluctuations in GPS accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an acoustic sensor as an intermediary device between the GPS system and the steering control. The acoustic sensor detects crop edges by listening for sounds generated during harvesting operations, providing a local reference that mediates between the imprecise GPS positioning and the actual field position, thereby compensating for GPS accuracy fluctuations
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the acoustic environment for crop edge detection and using this information to correct the vehicle's position relative to the crop rows. The control system receives feedback from the acoustic sensor about the actual crop edge location and adjusts the steering accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains accuracy despite GPS variations
2Measurement precision
If manual intervention is increased to maintain correct lane positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but operator workload increases
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic sensor system enables the vehicle to self-correct its position by automatically detecting crop edges and adjusting steering without operator intervention. The system serves itself by using its own acoustic sensors to monitor position and make corrections, eliminating the need for continuous manual monitoring while maintaining accurate lane positioning
3Measurement precision
If acoustic sensors are used for crop edge detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical scanning systems with acoustic sensors that detect crop edges through sound waves. Instead of using mechanical lasers or physical contact sensors, the system uses acoustic detection to identify crop edges, simplifying the mechanical complexity while improving detection accuracy through sound-based sensing
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 precise and efficient processing of row crops by determining an optimal entry position early on, allowing for automatic control and reducing the need for manual intervention, thereby decreasing operator workload and improving accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor unit has at least one electro-optical sensor for analyzing the row culture
Data Source
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AI summary
An agricultural machine comprises a track planning unit for planning a single-track path for the agricultural machine and a sensor unit connected to the track planning unit for detecting a row crop in a field to be cultivated. According to the invention, when the agricultural machine approaches the row crop, the determination of an entry position into the row crop by the track planning unit is based on an analysis of the row crop by means of the sensor unit and at least one machine-specific parameter, in particular a working width of the machine.