Combine Harvester Kernel Dimension Analysis for Test Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
The reliance on test weight for determining crop quality is unreliable due to inflation from drying, leading to deceptive bushel numbers and quality assessments in the farming industry.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that uses image-capturing sensors in combine harvesters to determine kernel dimensions and orientation in real-time, correlating these with test weights to generate a test-weight map, which can be combined with other agricultural maps for improved farming practices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If test weight is used to determine crop quality, then quality assessment can be performed, but the assessment becomes unreliable due to inflation from drying
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures images of kernels immediately after harvest while they are still in the combine harvester, before significant drying occurs. This preliminary measurement approach ensures that test weight is determined at the optimal time when moisture content is highest, preventing the inflation problem that occurs with delayed measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical test weight measurement systems with an optical imaging system. By using image capture devices and computer vision algorithms to analyze kernel dimensions and calculate test weight, the system eliminates the timing issue associated with physical sampling and drying, providing consistent measurements regardless of when the assessment occurs
2Measurement precision
If traditional test weight measurement is used, then bushel numbers can be determined, but the numbers become deceptive due to drying effects
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical weighing and sampling methods with optical imaging technology. Image capture devices photograph kernels, and software algorithms automatically measure kernel dimensions and calculate test weight and bushel numbers. This substitution provides more consistent and reliable measurements by eliminating variability introduced by manual sampling and the effects of drying during transport and storage
3Reliability
If images are captured immediately after harvest, then drying effects are minimized, but real-time processing capability is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a complete digital system where image capture devices are integrated with processing units that automatically analyze kernel images and calculate test weight parameters in real-time. This digital substitution eliminates the need for manual intervention and enables immediate processing of harvest data, providing reliable test weight determination without requiring complex mechanical processing equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to automatically capture images, process the visual data, and generate test weight measurements without requiring external intervention. The processing unit autonomously analyzes kernel dimensions from images and calculates quality metrics, making the system self-sufficient and reducing operational complexity despite the advanced technology involved
Data Source
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AI summary
Technologies for determining test weight of a crop (such as technologies for determining test weight of corn) can be more accurate. The technologies can include a computing device configured to determine dimensions (526,528,530,532) of kernels of a harvested crop in a combine harvester as well determine test weight of the crop based on the determined dimensions (526,528,530,532) of the kernels. The determination can include deriving the test weight from a table including correlations between kernel dimensions and test weights. The table can be enhanced by a feedback loop, and the technologies can include a computing device that is configured to communicate test weights to an operator of a combine harvester during or after processing of the crop by the harvester. The technologies can also include a device that can generate a test-weight map (704) based on determined test weights and locations of a crop field associated with the determined test weights.