Towed Implement Object Detection for Autonomous Safety Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous farm and work vehicles operating with towed implements often lack effective safety systems to ensure the presence of people or obstacles in their vicinity, as they may not have a supervisory human operator or full knowledge of the operating area.
Innovation Solution
A safety system for towed implements that includes object detection sensors affixed to the implement frame, generating scene signals to detect objects within the sensor's field of view, and a safety control system that evaluates these signals to inhibit movement or generate warning indications if objects are detected, ensuring safe working conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If autonomous work vehicle operations are conducted without a supervisory human operator, then productivity is improved, but safety is worsened due to lack of human awareness of people or obstacles in the operating area
Solution Approach 1:
The implement safety system performs self-monitoring of the operating area around the implement using object detection sensors, generating safety control signals autonomously without requiring a supervisory human operator on the work vehicle. The system serves itself by detecting objects and independently controlling implement operations based on detected object positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety system is segmented into separate components: object detection sensors mounted on the implement, a safety control system, and integration with the implement control system. This segmentation allows the safety monitoring function to be independently implemented on the implement rather than requiring a supervisory operator on the work vehicle.
2Reliability
If object detection sensors are added to the implement frame, then safety is improved through object detection, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The safety control system is merged with the existing implement control system, allowing both safety monitoring and implement control functions to be integrated in a single control unit. This reduces overall system complexity compared to having completely separate safety and control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The implement control system is designed to perform multiple functions: both controlling implement operations and serving as the safety control system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated hardware and simplifies the overall system architecture.
3Reliability
If the object detection sensor field of view is increased to capture a larger image scene, then safety is improved through broader detection coverage, but measurement precision is worsened due to reduced detail in the captured scene
Solution Approach 1:
The object detection sensor is positioned and oriented to provide a field of view that captures the specific area around the implement where objects need to be detected. The sensor placement optimizes the balance between coverage area and detection precision for the local operating environment.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple object detection sensors may be positioned at different locations and orientations on the implement frame to detect objects in different spatial dimensions. This multi-dimensional approach provides both broad coverage and precise detection by combining data from multiple sensor perspectives.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a safety system for a towed implement may include an implement frame structured to be towed by a work vehicle. The safety system may also include an object detection sensor affixed to the implement frame with a field of view sized to capture an image scene in proximity to the implement frame, the object detection sensor structured to generate a scene signal representing the image scene. The safety system may also include a safety control system configured to generate a safety control signal based on a detection data signal, the detection data signal based on a determination of whether an object is detected in the scene signal, the detection data signal having a positive object detection indication if the object is within the image scene of the object detection sensor and a negative object detection indication if the object is not detected within the image scene.