Soil Compaction Stress Mapping for Mobile Machine Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring soil compaction at worksites are time-consuming, incomplete, and invasive, providing high uncertainty and potential damage to crops, especially in large-scale perennial crop operations like sugarcane fields, where soil compaction can accumulate over years and significantly impact crop yield.
Innovation Solution
A system that senses mobile machine characteristics and position to generate a soil compaction stress map, allowing for the generation of control signals to mitigate compaction by adjusting machine paths and tire pressures in real-time, thereby reducing the impact on soil and crop yield.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current measurement methods (bulk density, cone penetrometer, Bolling pressure probes) are used to assess soil compaction, then local soil compaction data can be obtained, but the measurement process is time-consuming, invasive to crops, and provides incomplete field-wide assessment with high uncertainty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical measurement systems (cone penetrometers, pressure probes that physically penetrate soil) with an optical/image processing system. The system captures images of the soil surface and uses image analysis to detect compaction indicators, eliminating the need for physical soil penetration while providing comprehensive field-wide assessment without crop damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal measurement system that can assess soil compaction across the entire field simultaneously, rather than requiring multiple separate measurements at different locations. The single imaging system provides comprehensive field-wide coverage, making the measurement process efficient and complete.
2Measurement precision
If mechanical measurement devices (cone penetrometers, pressure probes) are used to measure soil compaction, then local compaction data is obtained, but the measurements are invasive and can damage crops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical measurement devices that physically contact and penetrate the soil with an optical imaging system. The system captures images of the soil surface and analyzes them to detect compaction indicators, completely avoiding physical soil penetration and eliminating crop damage associated with mechanical probe insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy (image) of the soil surface condition to assess compaction without physically interacting with the soil or crops. The image processing system analyzes visual characteristics that indicate compaction levels, providing measurement data without mechanical contact that would harm the crops.
3Measurement precision
If traditional soil compaction measurement methods are used, then localized compaction assessment is possible, but the results are incomplete as they only cover parts of the field
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal measurement system that simultaneously assesses soil compaction across the entire field rather than requiring multiple separate localized measurements. The imaging system captures and analyzes the complete field area in one operation, providing comprehensive field-wide compaction information that eliminates data gaps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from point-based localized measurements to area-based comprehensive assessment by using aerial or satellite imaging. This dimensional change from measuring at discrete points to capturing the entire field surface allows complete field-wide compaction mapping in a single operation.
4Productivity
If multiple mobile machines operate in large-scale perennial crop fields over several years, then harvesting operations can be completed, but soil compaction accumulates and significantly impacts crop yield
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where soil compaction is continuously monitored using aerial imaging, and the compaction data is fed back to adjust machine routing in real-time. The system identifies low-compaction areas and directs machines to travel through those paths, preventing further compaction accumulation while maintaining harvesting productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the machine routing dynamic and adaptive rather than fixed. The system continuously updates compaction maps and adjusts travel paths in real-time based on current field conditions, allowing machines to dynamically select routes that minimize additional compaction while completing harvesting operations efficiently.
Data Source
AI summary
Mobile machine characteristics and position are sensed to obtain an indication of the compactive effect of a mobile machine on a worksite. A soil compaction stress map is generated and control signals are generated, for controlling controlled systems, based upon the soil compaction stress map.