Row Crop Mitigation Steering Controller State Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural work vehicles face challenges in transitioning from automatic row following to a default mode without damaging crop plants, particularly when sharp turns are required, as existing systems are resource-intensive and inefficient in changing steer angles.

Innovation Solution

A mitigation steering system that includes a crop row sensor and a mitigation steering controller to adjust the steer angle of ground engaging elements based on crop plant data, switching between active and inactive states to avoid crop damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the mitigation steering controller is kept active to continuously adjust steer angle, then crop plant damage is prevented, but resource consumption increases and transition efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrop plant damageVSAvoidresource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mitigation steering controller dynamically transitions between active and inactive states based on real-time crop proximity detection. When crops are detected in proximity, the controller activates to adjust steer angles; when no crops are present, it deactivates to conserve resources. This dynamic state switching optimizes both crop protection and resource efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses crop row sensors to continuously monitor the proximity of ground engaging elements to crop plants and provides feedback to the mitigation steering controller. This feedback mechanism enables the controller to activate only when necessary, adjusting steer angles to prevent crop damage while remaining inactive during safe conditions, thereby reducing resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the mitigation steering controller is kept active to continuously adjust steer angle, then crop plant damage is prevented, but transition speed and efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrop plant damageVSAvoidtransition time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The crop row sensors continuously monitor the environment and detect crop proximity in advance, allowing the mitigation steering controller to activate before potential crop damage occurs. This preliminary detection and activation approach enables smooth transitions from inactive to active state, preventing crop damage while maintaining transition efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Use of energy by moving object

If the ground engaging element is inhibited from steering when not in proximity to crops, then resource consumption is reduced, but adaptability to changing conditions decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource consumptionVSAvoidadaptability to changing conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs crop row sensors that continuously provide feedback on crop proximity, enabling the mitigation steering controller to activate or deactivate based on real-time conditions. This feedback mechanism ensures the system remains adaptable to changing environmental conditions while consuming resources only when necessary for crop protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12426526B2Systems and methods for controlling a steer angle and steer angle state of a mitigation steering controller for an agricultural work vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.09.30 BLUE LEAF I P INC

AI summary

In one aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a system which includes a row crop mitigation system configured to mitigate damage to a row crop by changing a steer angle of a ground engaging element of an agricultural work vehicle. The row crop mitigation system includes a crop row sensor configured to generate crop plant data, as well as a mitigation steering controller configured to selectively change the steer angle of the ground engaging element of the agricultural work vehicle. The mitigation steering controller having an inactive state in which the mitigation steering controller does not change a steer angle of the ground engaging element, and an active state in which the mitigation steering controller is configured to generate a mitigation steer angle command to change the steer angle of the ground engaging element.