IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,974,225
Granted Patent B2
US 9,974,225 · App. 14/995,923 · Granted May 22, 2018

System and method for generating and implementing an end-of-row turn path

Inventors: Nathan Eric Bunderson (Providence, UT); Daniel John Morwood (Petersboro, UT); Brian Robert Ray (Chicago, IL); Peter John Dix (Naperville, IL); Brendan Paul McCarthy (Willowbrook, IL); Bret Todd Turpin (Wellsville, UT); Brett McClelland (Chicago, IL)
Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC; Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
A01B69/008A01B79/005B60W10/04B60W10/20B60W30/10G01C21/10G05D1/0212G05D1/0217G05D1/0219G05D1/0223B60W2300/15
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,974,225
App. No.
14/995,923
Granted
May 22, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method includes generating a non-continuous curvature end-of-row turn path for an agricultural vehicle, wherein the non-continuous curvature end-of-row turn path includes a plurality of initial segments that are curved or straight, adding at least one continuity segment between each of the initial segments, wherein the at least one continuity segment is a clothoid segment, and the initial segments and the at least one continuity segment combine to form a continuous curvature end-of-row turn path, and implementing the continuous end-of-row turn path, displaying the continuous end-of-row turn path, or both.

Claims (31)

1. A method, comprising:

generating a non-continuous curvature end-of-row turn path for an agricultural vehicle, wherein the non-continuous curvature end-of-row turn path comprises a plurality of initial segments that are curved or straight;

adding at least one continuity segment between each of the plurality of initial segments, wherein the at least one continuity segment comprises a clothoid segment, and the initial segments and the at least one continuity segment combine to form a continuous curvature end-of-row turn path; and

implementing the continuous end-of-row turn path, displaying the continuous end-of-row turn path, or both.

2. The method of claim 1 , comprising adjusting one or more parameters of the initial segments and the at least one continuity segment such that the end-of-row turn path is C2 continuous.

3. The method of claim 2 , comprising reducing the desired speed if the agricultural vehicle is not capable of traversing the continuous curvature end-of-row turn path at the desired speed; and

adjusting the one or more parameters of the initial segments and the at least one continuity segment for the reduced desired speed of the agricultural vehicle.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one continuity segment does not exceed at least one turning capability of the agricultural vehicle.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the least one turning capability of the agricultural vehicle comprises a minimum turning radius and a maximum turning rate.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one continuity segment is based at least in part on an initial position of the agricultural vehicle, an initial heading of the agricultural vehicle, an initial curvature of the agricultural vehicle, a rate of curvature of the agricultural vehicle, a path length of the agricultural vehicle, or a combination thereof.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein implementing the continuous end-of-row turn path comprises controlling a vehicle steering system.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein implementing the continuous end-of-row turn path comprises controlling a vehicle speed system.

9. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising executable instructions that when executed cause a processor to:

generate a non-continuous curvature end-of-row turn path for an agricultural vehicle, wherein the non-continuous curvature end-of-row turn path comprises a plurality of initial segments that are curved or straight;

add at least one continuity segment between each of the plurality of initial segments, wherein the at least one continuity segment comprises a clothoid segment, and the initial segments and the at least one continuity segment combine to form a continuous curvature end-of-row turn path;

shorten or lengthen each of the initial segments and the at least one continuity segment for a desired speed of the agricultural vehicle; and

implement the continuous end-of-row turn, display the continuous end-of-row turn path, or both.

10. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the non-continuous curvature end-of-row turn path comprises a Dubins path.

11. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the at least one continuity segment does not exceed at least one turning capability of the agricultural vehicle.

12. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the least one turning capability of the agricultural vehicle comprises a minimum turning radius and a maximum turning rate.

13. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the at least one continuity segment is based at least in part on an initial position of the agricultural vehicle, an initial heading of the agricultural vehicle, an initial curvature of the agricultural vehicle, a rate of curvature of the agricultural vehicle, a path length of the agricultural vehicle, or a combination thereof.

14. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 9 , wherein implementing the continuous end-of-row turn path comprises controlling a vehicle steering system.

15. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising executable instructions that when executed cause a processor to:

generate a non-continuous curvature end-of-row turn path for an agricultural vehicle, wherein the non-continuous curvature end-of-row turn path comprises a plurality of initial segments that are curved or straight;

add at least one continuity segment between each of the plurality of initial segments, wherein the at least one continuity segment comprises a clothoid segment, and the initial segments and the at least one continuity segment combine to form a continuous curvature end-of-row turn path; and

implement the continuous end-of-row turn, display the continuous end-of-row turn path, or both.

16. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the non-continuous curvature end-of-row turn path comprises a Dubins path.

17. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the at least one continuity segment does not exceed at least one turning capability of the agricultural vehicle.

18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the least one turning capability of the agricultural vehicle comprises a minimum turning radius and a maximum turning rate.

19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the at least one continuity segment is based at least in part on an initial position of the agricultural vehicle, an initial heading of the agricultural vehicle, an initial curvature of the agricultural vehicle, a rate of curvature of the agricultural vehicle, a path length of the agricultural vehicle, or a combination thereof.

20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15 , wherein implementing the continuous end-of-row turn path comprises controlling a vehicle steering system.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 17, 2016
From: RAY, BRIAN ROBERT; DIX, PETER JOHN; MCCARTHY, BRENDAN PAUL; MCCLELLAND, BRETT
To: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
Reel/Frame 038939/0302 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 17, 2016
From: BUNDERSON, NATHAN ERIC; MORWOOD, DANIEL JOHN; TURPIN, BRET TODD
To: AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 038939/0421 →
Continuity (1)
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