METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN AGRICULTURAL MACHINE SYSTEM

• US 20070255470A1
• Filed: 04/19/2007
• Published: 11/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Claas Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH (CLAAS KGaA mbH)
• Original Assignee: Claas Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH (CLAAS KGaA mbH)
• Inventors: Diekhans, Norbert, Meyer Zu Helligen, Lars Peter, Brunnert, Andreas, Nienaber, Gerhard
• Granted Patent: US 7,502,678 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/50
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 69/008 automatic
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0221 involving a learning process
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0278 using satellite positioning signals, e.g. GPS

Abstract

For controlling an agricultural machine system while it works a territory, which a route (R) is created for the machine system, which includes working tracks (F_N) along which the machine system is driven while the territory (S) is being worked, and which includes headland tracks (F_V), along which the machine system is driven when it travels from one working track (F_N) to the next working track (F_N) to be driven along. The machine system automatically processes a sequence of headland working steps at the end of one working track (F_N) and/or while a subsequent headland track (F_V) is being driven along, and/or at the beginning of a subsequent working track (F_N). The sequence of headland working steps is updated and carried out dynamically depending on the current position of the machine system and depending on the next working track (F_N) to be driven along. A related automatic control system for controlling an agricultural machine system is also provided.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an agricultural machine system while it works a territory (S), comprising the steps of creating a route (R) for the machine system, which includes working tracks (F_N) along which the machine system is driven while the territory (S) is being worked, and which includes headland tracks (F_V), along which the machine system is driven when it travels from one working track (F_N) to the next working track (F_N);

automatically processing by the machine system a sequence of headland working steps at the end of one working track (F_N) and/or while a subsequent headland track (F_V) is being driven along, and/or at the beginning of a subsequent working track (F_N); and

updating and carrying out dynamically the sequence of headland working steps depending on the current position of the machine system and depending on the next working track (F_N) to be driven along.

2. A method as defined in claim 1,

wherein,

depending on

the working track (F_N) that is currently being driven along,

the next working track (F_N) to be driven along,

the geographical data of a headland area (V),

and certain machine parameters of the agricultural machine system (1), determining a headland track (F_V) between the working track (F_N) currently being driven along and the next working track (F_N) to be driven along such that the machine system merges into the next working track (F_N) to be driven along in an optimal manner.

3. A method as defined in claim 2,

wherein,

while the headland track (F_V) is being driven along, updating it dynamically depending on the current position of the machine system.

4. A method as defined in claim 1,

wherein,

when the route (R) for the machine system is being created, updating the working tracks (F_N) and the sequence in which the working tracks (F_N) will be driven along depending on certain machine parameters and/or depending on the course of possible headland tracks (F_V) between the working tracks.

5. A method as defined in claim 4,

wherein,

during travel along a working track (F_N), updating dynamically the sequence in which the subsequent working tracks (F_N) will be driven along.

6. A method as defined in claim 2, further comprising including in the machine parameters that are taken into account in the determination of the working tracks (F_N) and/or the sequence of working tracks (F_N) and/or the headland tracks (F_V), a working width and/or a turning radius of the machine system.

7. A method as defined in claim 2, further comprising generating a headland track (F_V) between the working track (F_N) currently being driven along and the next working track (F_N) to be driven along using individual turning radii (B, B₁, B₂, B₃), each of which is defined by the following parameters:

a turning radius center (M, M₁, M₂, M₃),

a turning radius (r),

a radian measure (δ

₁, δ

₂),

a direction of travel (WR) along the turning curve (B, B₁, B₂, B₃),

information about subsequent turning curves (B₁, B₂, B₃).

8. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising driving the machine system along the headland track (F_V) in a fully automatic manner.

9. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising displaying the particular headland track (F_V) to an operator of the machine system (1) on a display device (8_D) in a turning display mode so he can drive along a headland track (F_V).

10. Automatic control system for controlling an agricultural machine system on a territory (S) to be worked, comprising a position data determination device for automatically detecting current position data (PD) about the machine system;

a route planning system for creating a route (R) for the machine system, which includes working tracks (F_N) along which the machine system is driven while the territory (S) is being worked, and which includes headland tracks (F_V), along which the machine system is driven when it travels from one working track (F_N) to the next working track (F_N);

a headland management system which controls the machine system such that a sequence of headland working steps is carried out automatically at the end of a working track (F_N) and/or while a subsequent headland track (F_V) is being driven along, and/or at the beginning of a subsequent driving track (F_N);

the headland management system is designed such that the sequence of headland working steps is updated and carried out dynamically depending on the current position of the machine system and depending on the next working track (F_N) to be driven along.