Autonomous Sensor Frame Detection of Plugged Farm Implements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Farmers face difficulty in detecting accumulations of field materials between rotating ground engaging components of agricultural implements, which inhibit tillage operations, necessitating an improved system for detection.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous sensor frame equipped with an object detection sensor flies in formation with the agricultural machine, capturing image scenes to identify plugged conditions by generating scene data, which is transmitted to the machine to alter its operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an operator manually monitors the agricultural implement, then corrective actions can be taken when plugging is detected, but the operator cannot determine when field materials have accumulated between rotating ground engaging components in real-time
Solution Approach 1:
An autonomous sensor frame acts as an intermediary between the agricultural implement and the operator. The sensor frame includes sensors that detect field material accumulation between rotating ground engaging components and transmit this information to a remote device, enabling real-time monitoring without requiring direct operator presence or manual inspection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-monitoring of the agricultural implement through autonomous sensors that automatically detect and report plugging conditions. The sensor frame independently captures images and data about field material accumulation, processes this information, and communicates it without human intervention, allowing the implement to effectively monitor itself.
2Productivity
If the implement operates continuously without monitoring, then productivity is maintained, but plugged conditions go undetected and inhibit tillage operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes a feedback loop where sensors on the autonomous sensor frame continuously monitor the agricultural implement's operation and transmit data about field material accumulation to a remote device. This feedback enables timely detection of plugging conditions, allowing operators to take corrective actions before productivity is significantly impacted, thus maintaining both productivity and reliability.
3Loss of information
If manual inspection is performed to detect plugging, then some accumulated field materials can be identified, but real-time detection is not achievable and operational disruptions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical inspection with an autonomous sensor-based monitoring system. Sensors on the sensor frame automatically detect field material accumulation through image capture and data analysis, eliminating the need for operators to physically inspect the implement. This substitution provides continuous real-time information without causing operational disruptions or time loss.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, an agricultural surveillance platform useful to identify an operating condition of an agricultural machine may include an autonomous sensor frame structured to fly in formation with an agricultural machine and detect an operating condition of the agricultural machine. The agricultural surveillance platform may include a propulsion system to provide propulsive power to the autonomous sensor frame, and an inertial measurement unit configured to generate flight data measurements. The agricultural surveillance platform may also include an object detection sensor having a field of view sized to capture an image scene that includes the agricultural machine and generate scene data representing the image scene. The agricultural surveillance platform may also include a sensor frame controller configured to maintain a position of the autonomous sensor frame about the agricultural machine and generate autonomous sensor frame data that includes plugged data indicative of a plugged operating condition of the agricultural machine.