Tractor Tool Dispensing Control With Predicted Release Point
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous and semi-autonomous farming equipment faces inefficiencies due to inaccuracies in predictions, leading to product loss, time wastage, and fuel expenditure, which are mitigated by switching to manual operation but introduce additional inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a tractor controller that predicts the mechanical delay time of dispensing tools, allowing product dispensing to begin ahead of reaching the plantable site, ensuring accurate delivery while optimizing time and fuel usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If safeguards are put in place to guarantee product dispensing accuracy, then product loss is reduced, but time loss and fuel expenditure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by calculating the release point ahead of time based on predicted tractor position and tool delay characteristics. The controller determines where the tractor should be when dispensing begins so that product arrives at the target location at the correct time, eliminating the need for conservative safeguards that waste time while ensuring accurate product placement.
2Loss of substance
If product dispensing is guaranteed to be accurate, then product loss is reduced, but fuel expenditure increases due to re-visiting areas
Solution Approach 1:
The controller calculates the release point in advance using predicted tractor position and tool delay data, ensuring product is dispensed at the precise moment and location needed. This preliminary calculation prevents both product loss and the need for re-visiting areas, thereby reducing fuel expenditure while maintaining dispensing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from predicted tractor position, speed, and tool delay characteristics to continuously adjust the release point calculation. This closed-loop approach ensures accurate product placement on the first pass, eliminating wasted fuel from re-visiting areas while preventing product loss.
3Manufacturing precision
If tool readiness is required before dispensing, then product placement accuracy is ensured, but dispensing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculation of the release point based on predicted tractor position and tool delay characteristics before actual dispensing occurs. This allows the controller to command dispensing at the optimal moment without waiting for tool readiness confirmation, maintaining placement accuracy while improving dispensing efficiency by eliminating unnecessary delays.
Data Source
AI summary
A device detects a trigger to dispense a product at a using a tool operably coupled to a tractor. The device determines whether the tractor is in an automated mode, the automated mode enabling autonomous speed and direction navigation of the tractor. Responsive to determining that the tractor is not in the automated mode, the device determines whether the tool is in a ready state, and responsive to determining that the tool is in the ready state, commands the tool to dispense the product, wherein the tool is not commanded to dispense the product until the tool is in the ready state. Responsive to determining that the tractor is in the automated mode, the device commands the tool to dispense the product without determining whether the tool is in the ready state.