Steering Wheel Angle Sensor Feedback for Vehicle Path Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manual guidance systems for vehicles, such as tractors and harvesters, provide only visual indications of cross-track errors, which can be difficult for operators to interpret correctly, leading to over-correction and deviation from pre-planned paths, resulting in damaged crops and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes inertial measurement units (IMUs) attached to the steering wheel and a fixed part of the vehicle, combined with a GNSS receiver, to determine the current steering wheel angle and vehicle position, calculating a desired steering wheel angle based on deviations from a pre-planned path, and providing visual guidance through a user interface to help operators adjust the steering wheel accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If visual indications of cross-track errors are provided to operators, then operators can be guided to follow pre-planned paths, but the indications are difficult to interpret correctly leading to over-correction and deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by providing real-time visual indications of the desired steering wheel angle to the operator. The feedback module continuously monitors the vehicle's position relative to the pre-planned path and adjusts the guidance indication dynamically, allowing the operator to make precise steering corrections without over-adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary computational layer that translates complex cross-track error data into simple, intuitive desired steering wheel angle indications. This intermediary processing layer acts as a mediator between the raw position data and the operator, converting difficult-to-interpret error signals into straightforward steering guidance.
2Measurement precision
If IMUs and GNSS receivers are used to determine precise steering wheel angle and vehicle position, then cross-track errors are reduced and adherence to pre-planned paths is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The IMU unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it measures steering wheel angle, determines vehicle heading, and provides data for calculating cross-track errors. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sensors for each measurement, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines the IMU and GNSS receiver into an integrated guidance system where data from both sources are processed together by a single feedback module. This merging of sensor data processing reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate independent systems for each function.
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 allows for more precise and intuitive adjustment of the steering wheel angle, reducing cross-track errors and improving the vehicle's adherence to pre-planned paths, thereby minimizing crop damage and enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The first IMU includes a first three-axis accelerometer and a first three-axis gyroscope. The second IMU includes a second three-axis accelerometer and a second three-axis gyroscope.
Implementation Method 2
The first IMU includes a first three-axis accelerometer and a first three-axis gyroscope. The second IMU includes a second three-axis accelerometer and a second three-axis gyroscope.
Implementation Method 3
a global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) receiver attached to the vehicle and configured to receive GNSS satellite signals and determine a current position of the vehicle based on the GNSS satellite signals
Data Source
AI summary
A system for providing manual guidance of a vehicle includes a first inertial measurement unit (IMU) attached to a steering wheel, a second IMU attached to a fixed part of the vehicle, a global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) receiver, a data storage device for storing a pre-planned path, and a feedback module. The feedback module is configured to determine a current angle of the steering wheel, determine a deviation of the current position of the vehicle from the pre-planned path, determine a current heading of the vehicle, determine a current velocity of the vehicle, and determine a desired angle of the steering wheel relative to the vehicle. The system further includes a user interface configured to provide a visual indication of the desired angle of the steering wheel or a deviation of the current angle of the steering wheel from the desired angle of the steering wheel.