Vehicle Event Sequence Control via GPS Boundary Triggering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional agricultural combines require manual and repetitive operations when entering or exiting headlands, leading to inaccuracies due to operator timing and difficulty in identifying field boundaries, especially in dusty conditions, resulting in errors exceeding 1.2 meters at typical planting speeds.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for controlling a vehicle with a sequence of events, allowing operators to record and execute pre-defined functions relative to boundaries using GPS position and speed measurements, enabling automatic adjustment of operations such as raising/lowering implements and changing speed, with the ability to fine-tune sequences based on real-time data and vehicle speed corrections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operations are used for raising/lowering implements and changing speed during headland turns, then the operator has flexibility in performing tasks, but timing inaccuracies and operational errors increase due to manual timing variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system records the operator's manual operations and automatically executes them during subsequent operations. The playback system uses the recorded sequence of operations combined with GPS position data to trigger actions at precise moments without requiring continuous manual intervention, thereby maintaining operational flexibility while achieving precise timing
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-records the sequence of operations and their timing characteristics during a learning phase. This recorded sequence is then played back automatically during actual operations, allowing the system to anticipate and execute actions at the correct moments based on pre-analyzed timing patterns rather than relying on real-time manual judgment
2Extent of automation
If the operator manually determines when to initiate automated playback by watching for boundary crossings, then some automation is achieved, but boundary identification difficulty due to dust and other factors causes initiation timing errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the operator's visual detection and manual button-pushing mechanism with an automated GPS-based position detection system. The GPS receiver continuously monitors the vehicle's position and automatically triggers playback initiation when the vehicle approaches the recorded boundary position, eliminating the need for visual boundary identification and manual timing
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces GPS position data as an intermediary between the boundary crossing event and the playback initiation action. Instead of the operator directly observing the boundary and manually triggering playback, the GPS system mediates this process by detecting position changes and automatically initiating playback at the appropriate moment based on pre-recorded boundary coordinates
3Ease of operation
If button push timing variation of 200 msec occurs at typical planting speeds of 6.4-11.2 km/h, then manual operation flexibility is maintained, but positioning accuracy exceeds error margins of +/- 1.2m (4ft)
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a digital copy of the operation sequence and timing characteristics during a recording phase. This copied sequence is then executed automatically during actual operations, reproducing the precise timing and sequence of actions without the variability inherent in manual execution. The digital copy serves as a template that ensures consistent, accurate reproduction of operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses GPS position feedback to monitor the vehicle's location and determine when to initiate and execute recorded operations. The continuous position data provides real-time feedback that allows the system to trigger actions at the precise moment the vehicle reaches the correct position, eliminating timing variations and ensuring positioning accuracy within the required +/- 1.2m tolerance
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A system and method for controlling a vehicle (10) with a sequence of vehicle events. A user interface (200) allows the recording of vehicle functions that are being manually executed. After the vehicle functions are entered, they can be saved as a sequence and named appropriately. Once saved, the operator can choose to edit the sequence functions or distances to make adjustments or shift the entire sequence in time. The saved sequence can be executed at a certain distance relative to a boundary being crossed by the machine (10). The boundaries themselves may be pre-defined in the system, and the system can determine when the boundary is crossed based on real-time GPS position and speed measurements from the vehicle (10). As the vehicle speed is adjusted, the sequence can be continually tuned to allow the sequence to execute accurately in a variety of operations.