Multi-sensor Crop Yield Sensing System with Acoustic Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current crop harvesting machines lack the precision and sophistication in crop yield sensing, providing inadequate data for advanced crop management due to limitations in existing sensor technologies.
Innovation Solution
A crop yield sensing system that employs multiple sensors, including acoustic sensors, to detect crop attributes on a row-by-row or plant-by-plant basis, combining signals to enhance resolution and accuracy, allowing for real-time data processing and operational adjustments during harvesting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are deployed to detect crop attributes on a row-by-row or plant-by-plant basis, then measurement precision and data resolution are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The harvesting machine's sensing system is divided into multiple independent sensor units distributed across different portions of the harvesting swath. Each sensor detects crop attributes for its specific zone, enabling row-by-row or plant-by-plant measurement precision while maintaining manageable individual sensor complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from aggregate field-level yield measurement to spatially-resolved row-by-row or plant-by-plant measurement. This dimensional transformation in data granularity achieves superior measurement precision by adding spatial resolution dimensions without requiring each individual sensor to be overly complex.
2Loss of information
If multiple sensors are used to enhance crop data resolution, then information quality is improved, but loss of time in data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors continuously detect and record crop attributes during the harvesting process itself, rather than requiring separate post-harvest measurement steps. This preliminary action captures high-resolution spatial data in real-time, preventing information loss while enabling immediate processing without additional time delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing system operates continuously throughout the harvesting operation, maintaining constant data acquisition across all sensor zones. This continuous measurement ensures no crop attribute information is lost while generating a steady stream of data that can be processed incrementally, reducing overall processing time compared to batch measurement approaches.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides enhanced crop data resolution, enabling more precise and efficient harvesting operations, improved crop management, and increased accuracy in yield estimation and field mapping.
Implementation Method 1
A crop yield sensing system employs multiple sensors, including acoustic sensors, to detect crop attributes
Data Source
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Figure 3
Figure 4~4A
AI summary
A crop yields sensing system (20) comprises a first sensor (36) of a first type associated with a portion of a harvester to output first signals facilitating determination of crop yield and a second sensor (38) of a second type different than the first type to output second signals facilitating determination of crop yield for the portion of the harvester. The system further comprises a processing unit to receive the first signals and the second signals and determine crop yield for the portion of the harvester based on a combination of the first signals and the second signals.