Agricultural Attachment Height Sensing With Position-Specific Calibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural systems lack the ability to accurately measure the absolute working height of various attachments, relying instead on relative measurements that do not account for machine parameters, leading to inefficiencies and energy consumption variations.

Innovation Solution

A sensor assembly with a sensor and sensor holder is used to measure the absolute working height of agricultural attachments, utilizing mounting-position-specific calibration data sets to determine the height from a calibration data set specific to the attachment, allowing for easy documentation and regulation of the actual working height.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a sensor assembly with mounting-position-specific calibration data sets is used to measure absolute working height, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabsolute working height measurementVSAvoidsensor assembly with calibration data

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calibration by storing mounting-position-specific calibration data sets that contain reference information for each possible sensor mounting position. During operation, the system retrieves the appropriate calibration data set based on the sensor's mounting position and uses it to calculate accurate absolute working height measurements, eliminating the need for complex real-time calibration procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces calibration data sets as an intermediary element that mediates between the simple distance sensor and the complex task of measuring absolute working height. The calibration data sets contain pre-stored reference information that enables the sensor assembly to convert raw distance measurements into accurate absolute working height values without requiring complex computational algorithms during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If individual sensors are installed on each agricultural attachment, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworking height measurement reliabilityVSAvoidmultiple sensors on multiple attachments

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal sensor assembly that can be mounted on different agricultural attachments at different positions while maintaining measurement reliability. The assembly includes a distance sensor combined with storage for mounting-position-specific calibration data sets, allowing the same sensor design to serve multiple attachments and multiple mounting positions through software-based adaptation rather than requiring hardware customization for each attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of installing physical sensors on each attachment, the system creates virtual copies of the measurement capability by storing calibration data sets that represent different mounting positions. The control unit retrieves the appropriate calibration data set based on the sensor's mounting position and uses it to calculate accurate measurements, effectively copying the measurement function across multiple attachments without physical duplication of sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Device complexity

If relative working height measurements are used without accounting for machine parameters, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement system simplicityVSAvoidworking height accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with a combination of simple distance sensing and information processing. Instead of using complex mechanical linkages or multiple sensors to account for mounting position variations, the system substitutes a simple distance sensor combined with stored calibration data and computational algorithms to achieve accurate absolute working height measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12527241B2System and method to measure an absolute working height of a plurality of agricultural attachments

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 CLAAS TRACTOR

AI summary

A method and system for measuring a working height, such as an absolute working height, of a plurality of agricultural attachments using a sensor assembly is disclosed. The sensor assembly includes a sensor and at least one sensor holder. The sensor holder is mounted at mounting positions onto different attachments, with the sensor being reversibly mounted in the sensor holder at the mounting position. The sensor, in a mounted state, records measured data relating to a working height of the agricultural attachment and transmits the measured data to the control assembly. In turn, the control assembly determines the working height of the particular attachment from a calibration data set specific to the mounting position.