Angled Sensor Bar for Corn Detasseler Height Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing detasseling systems for corn plants face challenges in accurately adjusting the cutter head height due to quick adjustments based on sensed plant heights, leading to incomplete cutting or excessive cutting, and require laborious replacement of cutter and puller heads, which is time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A mobile detasseling system with a lift assembly and an angled sensor bar assembly that detects plant presence and height, allowing for real-time adjustment of the cutter/puller head assembly to ensure precise cutting and tassel removal, and a design that allows for rotation between cutter and puller head functions without manual removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the cutter head height is quickly adjusted based on sensed plant height, then the system can respond to varying plant heights, but the cutter head drops before completing the cut, resulting in excessive cutting of the present plant
Solution Approach 1:
The system senses the height of the next plant in advance before the current plant is fully processed. The cutter head position is pre-adjusted based on this advance sensing, allowing the system to maintain optimal cutting height without sudden drops that would cause excessive cutting.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutter head height adjustment is made dynamic and continuous rather than abrupt. The system continuously monitors plant height through the sensor assembly and makes smooth, progressive adjustments to the cutter head position, preventing sudden drops that would result in cutting the present plant too short.
2Speed
If the cutter head is lifted quickly when the next plant is taller, then the system can adapt to taller plants, but the present plant is not cut enough, leaving the tassel exposed
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly detects the height of the next plant in advance, allowing the control system to pre-position the cutter head at the appropriate height before processing the current plant. This prevents sudden lifts that would leave the present plant insufficiently cut.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutter head height adjustment operates dynamically and continuously, smoothing out rapid changes in plant height. The system makes gradual, controlled adjustments rather than abrupt lifts, ensuring the present plant receives adequate cutting while adapting to varying plant heights.
3Loss of time
If the sensor assembly is positioned far in front of the cutter head, then the system can sense the next plant height early, but the cutter head must be adjusted quickly, causing cutting errors
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly is positioned to sense the next plant height in advance, providing early detection. The control system uses this advance information to gradually adjust the cutter head position over time, converting the time advantage into precise positioning rather than rapid, error-prone adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically balances the early sensing capability with controlled adjustment speed. The cutter head position is continuously refined based on sensor input, allowing the system to maintain precision even with the time pressure created by early sensing requirements.
4Ease of manufacture
If the cutter head and puller head are separately mounted, then each can be optimized for its function, but replacement requires manual removal, which is laborious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The head assembly is designed as a universal, multi-functional unit that can perform both cutting and pulling operations. The cutter head and puller head are integrated into a single interchangeable assembly that can be quickly swapped between operations without manual removal, reducing labor and time while maintaining functional optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The head assembly configuration is made dynamic and interchangeable. The system can rapidly switch between cutter and puller head functions through a mechanical switching mechanism, allowing each head type to be optimized for its specific function while enabling quick replacement without manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
A detasseler system mountable to a mobile platform, wherein the system comprises a lift assembly and a detasseling assembly connected to the lift assembly. The detasseling assembly structured and operable to detassel the plants in a single row of plants in a test plot as the detasseler system is moved through the test plot. The detasseling assembly comprises a head assembly comprising a carrier bar connected to the lift assembly, a cutter head disposed at a first distal end of the carrier bar, and a puller head disposed at an opposing second distal end of the carrier bar. The detasseling assembly additionally comprises a sensor boom fixedly connected at a proximal end to the lift assembly, and an angled sensor bar assembly connected to sensor boom. The angled sensor bar assembly comprises an sensor bar connected to the sensor boom at an angle such that a non-orthogonal angle is defined between the sensor bar and the sensor boom; and a sensor system connected to the angle sensor bar, the sensor system structured and operable to detect the presence of a plant with a sensing field of the sensor system.