Beamforming Sensor for Swath Property Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for agricultural vehicles, such as balers and forage harvesters, face challenges in accurately determining the properties of swaths, including foreign objects, moisture, and density, which can lead to inefficient collection and potential damage from undetected objects.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a beamforming-sensor with an antenna/microphone array to transmit and receive directional signals, processing sensor-data to determine swath-property-data, including foreign-object-indicator data, moisture, and density, and generating vehicle-control-instructions for the agricultural vehicle to adjust its direction and speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sensors are used to detect swath properties, then the system is simple and low-cost, but the measurement precision and detection accuracy of foreign objects, moisture, and density are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (beamforming sensor for spatial mapping, optical sensors for moisture/density, foreign object detectors) into an integrated sensor system. This merging allows simultaneous measurement of multiple swath properties (position, moisture, density, foreign objects) with high precision, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity by achieving comprehensive accurate detection through unified sensor integration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical contact-based sensing with non-contact beamforming technology and optical sensing methods. This substitution enables precise measurement of swath properties without physical contact, improving measurement precision while reducing mechanical complexity and wear associated with traditional mechanical sensors
2Productivity
If manual monitoring of swath properties is used, then the system is simple, but the productivity and efficiency of swath collection are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous feedback loops where sensor data on swath properties (position, moisture, density, foreign objects) is constantly monitored and fed back to the control system. This feedback enables automatic adjustment of collection parameters and real-time optimization of swath collection operations, significantly improving productivity while maintaining appropriate automation levels through intelligent control algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection and analysis of swath properties before collection operations begin. By pre-mapping swath characteristics using beamforming and optical sensors, the system can proactively optimize collection paths and parameters, improving productivity by avoiding suboptimal collection decisions rather than reacting to conditions during operation
3Reliability
If foreign objects are not detected, then the system operates continuously without interruption, but harmful factors from foreign objects cause damage to equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs optical sensors and electromagnetic detection methods to identify foreign objects without mechanical contact. This substitution enables reliable detection of diverse foreign objects (metal, plastic, organic material) that would be difficult to detect with mechanical sensors, improving equipment protection reliability while overcoming the difficulty of detecting varied object types through non-contact sensing
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is designed with multi-functional capabilities to detect various types of foreign objects (metallic, non-metallic, organic, inorganic) using a unified detection platform. This universal detection approach improves reliability by protecting against diverse foreign object threats without requiring separate specialized detection systems for each object type, thereby managing the complexity of detecting measuring different materials
4Measurement precision
If real-time swath property data is collected, then the measurement precision is high, but the use of energy increases due to continuous sensing and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic sampling of swath properties at optimized intervals rather than continuous monitoring. The beamforming sensor and optical sensors collect data at strategic points along the swath, maintaining measurement precision for critical parameters (foreign objects, moisture gradients, density variations) while reducing overall energy consumption by avoiding redundant continuous measurements of stable conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies enhanced measurement precision locally to critical regions where foreign objects or significant property variations are detected, rather than uniformly high-resolution scanning of the entire swath. This local quality approach maintains necessary measurement accuracy for decision-making while reducing energy consumption by lowering resolution in stable, low-risk areas
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
This solution enables precise control of agricultural vehicles to improve swath collection efficiency, detect foreign objects, and prevent damage by providing real-time data on swath properties, allowing for optimized operation in various environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the beamforming-sensor comprises a plurality of antennas/microphones in an antenna/microphone array; and the beamforming-sensor is configured to phase-shift signals received at the plurality of antennas/microphones with respect to each other such that overall they constructively combine in a particular direction
Data Source
Figure 1a~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A system comprising a beamforming-sensor (210) configured to acquire sensor-data (212) 5 representative of swath (104) in an agricultural field (102); and a controller (214) configured to determine swath-property-data (216) based on the sensor-data (212).