Autonomous Tractor Slip Detection for Emergency Field Stop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous tractors lack a reliable mechanism to handle unforeseen circumstances, particularly longitudinal wheel slip, which can cause the tractor to dig into the land, leading to potential damage and hindered cultivation.
Innovation Solution
Implement an emergency stop mechanism in the autonomous tractor when longitudinal wheel slip exceeds a predetermined threshold, allowing for recovery and resumption of cultivation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the autonomous tractor continues operation after wheel slip occurs, then cultivation productivity is maintained, but land damage increases and tractor recovery becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting wheel slip conditions and preemptively stopping the tractor before excessive land damage occurs. The slip detection mechanism identifies when wheels are spinning without adequate traction, and the control system activates brakes to prevent the tractor from digging into the soil, thereby counteracting the harmful effect before it escalates
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring wheel rotation speed and comparing it with tractor movement speed to detect slip conditions. When slip is detected, the system feeds this information back to the control unit, which then adjusts operation by stopping the tractor, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents land damage while maintaining productivity
2Device complexity
If the autonomous tractor operates without slip detection and emergency stop capability, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability decreases due to inability to handle unforeseen circumstances
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by equipping the autonomous tractor with self-detection and self-correction capabilities. The slip detection system continuously monitors wheel conditions and automatically triggers emergency stop when slip is detected, enabling the tractor to handle unforeseen circumstances independently without human intervention, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements preliminary action by pre-programming the emergency stop response to slip detection. Rather than requiring complex real-time decision-making algorithms, the system has a predetermined response (emergency stop) ready to execute when slip conditions are detected, simplifying the control logic while ensuring reliable handling of slip events
Data Source
AI summary
A method to cultivate a piece of farmland using a permanently unmanned autonomous tractor that comprises an engine and at least one wheel operatively connected to the said engine and supported on a surface of the piece of farmland, the method including the steps of running the engine to turn the wheel in order impose a movement of the autonomous tractor over the surface of the piece of farmland, cultivating the piece of farmland while the autonomous tractor is moving over its surface, assessing slip of the wheel with respect to the surface, wherein when it is established that the wheel slips in longitudinal direction with respect to the surface of the piece of farmland, the autonomous tractor is controlled to make an emergency stop.