Work Vehicle Cooperation Control for Loop Field Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to effectively implement work vehicle cooperation control for slave vehicles to follow master vehicles in agricultural fields with small, bounded work areas, which require different navigation algorithms for central and loop traveling patterns.

Innovation Solution

A work vehicle cooperation system that includes modules for detecting and calculating positions, traveling tracks, and navigation control units to enable efficient loop traveling by determining redirection and loop work traveling targets based on the work widths of both master and slave vehicles, allowing the slave vehicle to follow the master vehicle's track while maintaining a predetermined overlap.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a slave work vehicle follows a master work vehicle in loop traveling areas using existing vehicle control systems, then the slave vehicle can maintain offset amounts or translate traveling tracks, but the system cannot properly handle redirection traveling and loop work traveling in bounded agricultural fields

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to loop traveling patternsVSAvoidnavigation control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments loop traveling into two distinct phases: redirection traveling (from work area end to loop area start) and loop work traveling (within the loop area). Each phase has dedicated calculation units that apply appropriate algorithms, avoiding the need for a single complex navigation system to handle all scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The redirection traveling target calculation unit pre-calculates the optimal path and target points before the slave vehicle enters the loop area. This preliminary action prepares the navigation parameters in advance, allowing smooth transition to loop work traveling without real-time computational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If the slave work vehicle uses standard following control algorithms, then the control system remains simple, but the system fails to account for different ground work widths between master and slave vehicles in loop traveling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework coverage precisionVSAvoidtarget calculation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different calculation strategies for different phases of loop traveling. The redirection traveling target calculation unit uses one algorithm considering work width differences, while the loop work traveling target calculation unit uses another algorithm optimized for maintaining coverage within the loop area. Each phase gets the quality appropriate to its specific requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts navigation parameters based on the phase of travel. During redirection traveling, the target calculation considers the full work width difference between master and slave vehicles. During loop work traveling, the parameters are adjusted to maintain optimal coverage patterns, ensuring precise work execution throughout the loop area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the work area is divided into U-turn work area and loop work area with different algorithms, then the navigation becomes more accurate, but the overall system complexity increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition detection precisionVSAvoidnavigation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the work area into U-turn work area and loop work area, with each area having dedicated detection units and calculation units. This segmentation allows precise position detection and navigation within each zone while keeping the overall system manageable through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The master position detection module and slave position detection module serve multiple functions: they detect positions for both U-turn traveling and loop traveling, and their data is used by different calculation units. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate detection systems for each travel mode, balancing precision with system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3123849B1Operation vehicle cooperation system
Publication Date: 2022.05.11 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP3123849B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(c)
  • EP3123849B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3123849B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A work vehicle cooperation system includes: a master traveling track calculation unit that calculates a traveling track of a master work vehicle (1P) based on a position of the master work vehicle (1P); a loop traveling detection unit that detects loop traveling in a loop work area (B), which is defined as the perimeter of a U-turn work area (A), the U-turn work area (A) being an area in which work is performed by repeating straight work traveling and U-turns; a redirection traveling target calculation unit that calculates a redirection traveling start point and a redirection traveling end point (Pc3) of a slave work vehicle (1C) based on a redirection traveling track including a redirection traveling start point (Pp1) and a redirection traveling end point of redirection traveling of the master work vehicle (1P); and a loop work traveling target calculation unit that calculates a target traveling position in loop work traveling of the slave work vehicle (1C) from the redirection traveling end point (Pc3) to a next redirection traveling start point (Pc1), based on the work widths of the master work vehicle (1P) and the slave work vehicle (1C), and a loop work traveling track of the master work vehicle (1P).