Automated Grain Filling Control With Grain-Mound Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural systems for transferring harvested grain into transport containers are inefficient and prone to spilling grain, particularly when grain transfer systems are inefficient and prone to spilling grain, especially during high transfer rates, especially during high transfer rates, especially during high transfer rates, especially during high transfer rates, especially during high transfer rates, especially during high transfer rates, especially during high transfer rates, especially during high transfer rates, particularly when grain transfer systems are operated at a high transfer rate, even a very brief overflow or misalignment may be significantly costly as a large amount of grain may be spilled in a short period of time.
Innovation Solution
An automated grain filling system equipped with sensors and processors to detect the upper perimeter and surface of a receiving container, adjusting the grain transfer element's operation based on these detections to minimize spillage and optimize filling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If grain transfer is operated at high transfer rate, then productivity is improved, but grain spillage increases due to overflow or misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs sensors to continuously detect the grain level and container alignment during transfer operations. The detected information is fed back to the control system, which automatically adjusts the grain transfer rate and discharge position to prevent spillage while maintaining high productivity. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to optimize transfer parameters in real-time based on actual grain mound formation and container filling status.
2Ease of operation
If automated grain filling system is implemented, then labor requirements are reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated grain filling system is designed to perform self-monitoring and self-regulation through integrated sensors and control mechanisms. The system automatically detects grain levels, adjusts transfer rates, and positions discharge points without requiring constant human intervention. This self-service capability reduces labor requirements while the modular design keeps system complexity manageable through standardized components and automated control logic.
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 reduces grain spillage and enhances transfer speed and efficiency by precisely directing grain into transport containers, ensuring complete filling and minimizing labor requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor may include at least one of a LIDAR scanner, a stereoscopic camera, a proximity sensor, a time-of-flight sensor, a time-of-flight camera, and/or a global positioning system receiver
Data Source
AI summary
An automated grain filling system including a sensor and a processor. The sensor is configured to detect at least a portion of an upper perimeter of a receiving container and at least a portion of an upper surface of a grain mound in the receiving container. The processor is configured to compare the detected portion of the upper perimeter and the detected portion of the upper surface, and direct the operation of a grain transfer element. The grain transfer element is configured to transfer grain from a supplying container to the receiving container. The directed operation of the grain transfer element is based at least in part on a result of the comparison of the detected portion of the upper perimeter and the detected portion of the upper surface.