RTK GPS Tramline Guidance for Repeated Wheel Track Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for generating tramlines are ineffective in ensuring precise repetition of wheel tracks over the same unplanted rows from year to year, leading to soil compaction and inefficiencies in spraying and cultivation.
Innovation Solution
An automatic guidance system utilizing corrected satellite-based positioning, such as RTK GPS, to track and record the location of a tractor's pathway, allowing for precise generation and repetition of tramlines based on predefined patterns, enabling subsequent vehicles to follow the same path without creating additional wheel tracks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional planting drills are used to create tramlines by plugging dispensing units, then tramlines are generated, but the location of wheel tracks cannot be precisely repeated from year to year
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a digital copy of the tramline locations by recording GPS coordinates during the planting operation. This digital map is then used to guide subsequent agricultural vehicles to follow the exact same paths, ensuring precise repetition of wheel tracks across multiple years and operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical method of creating tramlines (physically plugging dispensing units) with an electronic/GPS-based system. The GPS technology and digital recording replace the manual mechanical process, enabling precise location tracking and reproduction without relying on physical markers or memory.
2Productivity
If multiple trips are made across the field without precise tramlines, then field operations can be completed, but additional wheel tracks are created causing excessive soil compaction
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by creating and storing the digital tramline map during the planting operation. This pre-established digital guide is then used for all subsequent field operations, allowing multiple vehicles and trips to follow the same paths without creating new wheel tracks, thereby preventing soil compaction while maintaining productivity.
3Ease of operation
If tramlines are not precisely repeated, then field operations can proceed without guidance, but spray overlaps and skips occur increasing chemical cost and reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses GPS technology to provide continuous feedback on the vehicle's position relative to the stored tramline path. This enables real-time guidance and correction, ensuring the sprayer follows the exact tramline locations. The feedback mechanism prevents spray overlaps and skips, optimizing chemical application efficiency and reducing waste.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for generating and allowing the generation of tramline procedures while planting and/or subsequent agricultural operations is disclosed which benefits from the use of GPS systems.