Check Strip Location Sensing for Accurate Yield Comparison

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current agricultural systems face challenges in accurately implementing and analyzing check strips, as they often require manual intervention and pre-definition of check strip locations, leading to potential misalignment and reduced effectiveness in yield comparison.

Innovation Solution

An agricultural machine system that dynamically senses and records the start and end of check strip operations, allowing for precise location and dimensioning without pre-definition, enabling accurate comparison of yields by automatically switching between prescribed and check strip operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If check strip locations are pre-defined and manual intervention is required for alignment, then the system can implement check strip operations, but the alignment accuracy and operational efficiency deteriorate due to potential misalignment and manual intervention requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecheck strip location accuracyVSAvoidmanual intervention requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects and records check strip locations using GPS sensors and control systems without requiring manual intervention. The machine itself performs the measurement and data recording functions, eliminating the need for operators to manually mark or align check strips, thereby improving both location accuracy and operational ease

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment methods with automated electronic sensing and control systems. GPS sensors, controllers, and automated monitoring systems substitute for manual measurement and alignment procedures, achieving higher precision while reducing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If check strip operations are manually controlled and locations are pre-defined, then the operation can be changed in specific areas, but the data collection accuracy and yield comparison effectiveness worsen due to potential misalignment and operational errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation change capabilityVSAvoidyield data accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors and records the actual machine location, check strip boundaries, and operational parameters using GPS sensors and control systems. This real-time feedback ensures that yield data is accurately collected from the correct locations and properly correlated with the corresponding check strip operations, maintaining data accuracy while enabling operational flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts and records check strip operations based on real-time location data and machine position. Rather than relying on static pre-defined locations, the system adapts to actual field conditions and machine movement, ensuring accurate data collection regardless of operational changes or minor positioning variations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If pre-defined check strip locations are used with manual alignment, then the system can implement yield comparison, but the time efficiency and productivity deteriorate due to manual intervention and alignment requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveyield comparison validityVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures check strip parameters, GPS coordinates, and operational settings before field operations begin. The control system is pre-programmed with check strip locations and criteria, allowing the machine to automatically transition into check strip mode without manual intervention during operation, thereby maintaining reliability while improving productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The automated system performs all check strip identification, data collection, and recording functions without requiring manual alignment or intervention. The machine self-monitors its location, automatically records yield data from check strip areas, and stores information for later analysis, ensuring reliable yield comparison while maximizing operational efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3785507A1Automated check strips
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 DEERE & CO
  • EP3785507A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3785507A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3785507A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An agricultural machine performs a prescribed agricultural operation in a field. The machine is controlled to change the agricultural operation to a check strip operation. A location where the check strip operation is commenced is sensed and a location where the check strip operation ceases is also sensed. A dimension of the check strip, and its location, are stored.