Baler Field Mapping Using Crop Parameter and Location Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural balers operate inefficiently due to a lack of data on field conditions such as crop density and moisture, which affects optimal operation and subsequent field management tasks.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural baler system equipped with a controller that updates a field map based on measured parameters like crop weight and moisture, using sensors to determine distribution and adjust operating parameters accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional balers operate without field condition data, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls the baler's normal operation and simultaneously processes sensor data to create and update field maps. This multi-functionality allows the system to gather and utilize field condition data without adding separate dedicated systems, thereby improving productivity while limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors act as intermediaries between the physical field conditions and the controller's decision-making processes. These sensors measure parameters like crop density and moisture, converting physical quantities into electrical signals that the controller can process. This intermediary layer enables the system to respond to field conditions without requiring direct complex interactions with the environment.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are added to measure field parameters, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves dual purposes by both managing the baler's mechanical operations and processing data from multiple sensors to generate field maps. This multi-functional design allows the system to achieve precise measurement of field parameters without requiring a separate dedicated data processing system, thus improving measurement precision while containing device complexity.
3Loss of information
If field map data is collected and processed, then the loss of information is reduced, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously collects and stores field condition data in field maps during normal baler operation, preparing this information in advance for future use. By gathering and organizing data proactively rather than retrieving it when needed, the system reduces information loss while minimizing energy consumption, as the data processing occurs during routine operations rather than requiring additional energy-intensive retrieval operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural baler system includes: an agricultural baler including a bale chamber configured to form a bale from crop material, a crop conveyor configured to feed crop material into the bale chamber, a location sensor configured to output a location signal corresponding to a location of the agricultural baler, and a parameter sensor configured to output a parameter signal corresponding to a measured parameter; and a controller operably coupled to the travel sensor and the parameter sensor. The controller is configured to: determine an area based at least partially on a rake width of a rake and a defined length; determine a parameter distribution in a region of a field having the area based at least partially on the measured parameter and the location of the agricultural baler; and output a field map update signal to update a field map to indicate the determined parameter distribution.