Patent · US Active

Vehicle guidance system and method

US8725361B2 · kind B2 · utility

13Cited by
13References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 30, 2012
Grant dateMay 13, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 31, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG05D1/0227
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A guidance method and system automatically steers a guided vehicle which moves along a planned path between adjacent crop rows. The vehicle has a frame and steerable wheels. The method includes generating a left crop position signal with a left crop sensor on a left side of the vehicle, generating a right crop position signal with a right crop sensor on a right side of the vehicle, and generating a vehicle position signal with a vehicle position sensor unit. The method also includes generating a difference position signal by subtracting one of the left and right crop position signals from the other of the left and right crop position signals, and converting the difference position signal into a time-varying lateral offset signal. The method also includes offsetting the planned path by the time-varying lateral offset signal, and guiding the vehicle as a function of the offset planned path.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.