Adjustable LED Illumination for Crop Composition Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current machine vision systems for crop composition analysis in combine harvesters are inadequate for distinguishing between grains and contaminants, particularly in harsh environments, and fail to provide reliable real-time data for optimizing harvesting efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A machine vision apparatus with an adjustable light source and camera system that measures reflectance at multiple wavelengths, using LED illumination and image processing techniques like threshold adjustment, erosion, and dilation to enhance discrimination between crop components, and includes a reference member for stabilizing light output and compensating for environmental drift.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If machine vision apparatus is used to analyze crop composition, then real-time data for optimizing harvesting efficiency is obtained, but the system fails to reliably distinguish between grains and contaminants in harsh environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by measuring reflectance at multiple wavelengths (not just single wavelength) and using adjustable light sources with varying intensity and color characteristics. The processing device analyzes reflectance patterns across different wavelengths to distinguish grain from contaminants, improving measurement precision while maintaining reliability in harsh environments through multi-parameter analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The light source parameters (intensity, color temperature) are made dynamically adjustable based on crop type and environmental conditions. The system adapts illumination characteristics in real-time to optimize the contrast between grain and contaminants, enhancing discrimination reliability under varying harsh conditions while maintaining analysis accuracy
2Device complexity
If simple mass or volume measurement is used for crop valuation, then valuation process is simplified, but the valuation becomes inaccurate due to different amounts and types of contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple mechanical mass/volume measurement with optical measurement systems that analyze reflectance characteristics. The machine vision apparatus captures optical signals and processes them to identify and quantify different crop components, substituting physical measurement with optical analysis to achieve accurate valuation while maintaining process efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The processing device acts as an intermediary between the camera and valuation system. It analyzes optical characteristics, identifies contaminants versus grain, and provides corrected composition data that enables accurate valuation. This intermediary processing layer translates complex optical data into meaningful valuation information without requiring complex manual intervention
3Device complexity
If machine vision apparatus with fixed light source is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the system cannot adapt to different crop types and environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is designed with dynamic control capabilities, allowing adjustment of intensity, color temperature, and spectral characteristics. The control device modifies light source parameters based on detected crop type and environmental conditions, enabling the system to adapt to different scenarios while maintaining manageable device complexity through automated control
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes light source parameters (intensity, wavelength distribution, color temperature) according to the specific crop type and harvesting conditions. This parameter adaptability allows the same apparatus to effectively analyze different crops under varying environmental conditions without requiring multiple specialized systems
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 accurate, real-time analysis of crop composition, enabling automated adjustments to harvesting parameters, improving efficiency and reducing contamination, and is robust enough to withstand harsh conditions in combine harvesters.
Implementation Method 1
a light source that illuminates crop in the crop movement path; a camera that captures sequential images of crop in the crop movement path
Implementation Method 2
the processing device is configured for measuring the reflectance of each element of the image at least two wavelengths
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided for analysing the composition of crop in a crop-conveying machine, such as a harvesting machine. The crop in the machine is conveyed along a crop movement path, whereof a portion is illuminated by a light source (23). A camera (24) captures sequential images of crop in the crop movement path. The apparatus further comprises a control device and a processing device operatively connected to the camera and light source. The intensity and/or the colour of light output by the light source (23) is adjustable in dependence on one or more control commands generated by the control device and determined by optical characteristics generated by the processing device from one or more prior images captured by the camera (24). A portion of the image may include a reference member (26) adjacent the crop movement path.