Unloading Vehicle Nudge Indication for Spout Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Operators of agricultural harvesters face challenges in maintaining high efficiency and optimal control during material unloading operations, particularly when the receiving vehicle is positioned behind or alongside the harvester, leading to potential spillage due to misalignment of the unloading spout and vehicle position changes without adequate warning to the operator.

Innovation Solution

A system that generates a warning communication for impending position changes between leading and following vehicles, providing an indication to operators of the direction and progress of the nudge operation, thereby enhancing operator awareness and reducing errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automated control is implemented to maintain harvesting efficiency, then productivity is improved, but operator awareness of vehicle position changes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharvesting efficiencyVSAvoidoperator awareness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides visual feedback to the operator through a display device that shows icons indicating the relative position of the receiving vehicle to the leading vehicle. This feedback loop maintains operator awareness of automated positioning changes while allowing automated control to maintain harvesting efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The display device acts as an intermediary between the automated control system and the operator. It translates complex automated positioning data into simple visual icons that the operator can easily understand, bridging the gap between automated control and operator awareness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the receiving vehicle is positioned behind or alongside the harvester, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to potential spillage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle positioningVSAvoidunloading alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the relative position of the receiving vehicle and provides real-time visual feedback through icons on the display. This allows the operator to make precise adjustments to maintain proper alignment between the unloading spout and the receiving vehicle, preventing spillage while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system predicts future vehicle positions based on current motion trends and displays predictive icons showing where the receiving vehicle will be positioned. This allows the operator to make preliminary adjustments before misalignment occurs, preventing spillage while maintaining operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12504763B2Nudge proximity indication during control of an unloading operation

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 DEERE & CO

AI summary

A leading vehicle controls a following vehicle during a fill operation to change the positions of the two vehicles relative to one another. A control system generates a communication signal indicating that a position change operation that changes the position of the vehicles relative to one another is about to be executed. An operator display displays an indication of the position change operation prior to commencing the position change operation.